(Unofficial translation)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Managua, Nicaragua
MRE/DM/0032/02/2024
February 9th 2024
To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Panama
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Nicaragua greets the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama with reference to its communication No. DM-MIRE-2024-013186, today, February 9th 2024, on the asylum granted by Nicaragua to Mr. Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal.
In this regard, this Ministry transmits and reiterates its adherence to and compliance with international law, especially the ”Convention on Asylum“ signed in Havana in 1928 and the ”Convention on Political Asylum" adopted in Montevideo in 1933.
Not recognizing asylum and denying safe conduct constitutes a violation of the asylum conventions, in particular Article 2, Third Provision, of the “Asylum Convention” of 1928, which clearly states that the Government of the State granting asylum may demand that the asylee be placed outside the national territory within the shortest possible time; and the diplomatic agent of the country that has agreed to the asylum, may in turn demand the necessary guarantees for the asylee to leave the country, respecting the inviolability of his person.
Likewise, according to Article 2 of the 1933 ”Convention on Political Asylum", the political qualification of the asylum in question corresponds to the State providing the asylum.
Political asylum must be respected as a humanitarian right, in accordance with international law and the laws of the country granting asylum. In this regard, Nicaragua reiterates that asylum has been granted to Mr. Martinelli because he considers himself persecuted for political reasons and believes his life, physical integrity and security are at imminent risk.
Nicaragua reaffirms its respect for International Law and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other States; the granting of asylum to Mr. Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal is a purely humanitarian matter and is consistent with international law in this area.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Reconciliation and National Unity
Republic of Nicaragua