# Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 of 14 October 2019 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua, Introduction: Introductory text

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720
of 14 October 2019
concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1)
On 21 January 2019, the Council adopted conclusions in which it firmly condemned the repression of the press and civil society as well as the use of anti-terrorist laws to repress dissenting opinions in Nicaragua. The Council emphasised that, since April 2018, demonstrations have been brutally repressed by security forces and pro-government armed groups, leading to several hundred dead and injured and the arrest of hundreds of citizens with widespread irregularities and arbitrariness in detention and judicial procedures. It recalled the need to ensure accountability for all crimes committed since April 2018, whoever the perpetrators. It urged the Nicaraguan government to re-engage in a process of meaningful and results-oriented national dialogue, including on the adoption of electoral reforms.
(2)
The Council conclusions underlined the readiness of the Union to use all its policy instruments to contribute to a peaceful negotiated way out of the current crisis and to react to a further deterioration of human rights and the rule of law in Nicaragua.
(3)
The Council remains deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua.
(4)
In that context, targeted restrictive measures should be imposed against persons and entities responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses or for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Nicaragua, as well as persons and entities whose actions, policies or activities otherwise undermine democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua, and persons associated with them.
(5)
Further Union action is needed in order to implement certain measures,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2019/1720/introduction (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2019-1720/introduction
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.