Gobierno de Reconciliación y Unidad Nacional
Unida Nicaragua Triunfa
“VI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS
IN EURASIA: EXCHANGE ON THE BEST PRACTICES OF OMBUDSMEN”
16th November, 2022
Excellency Mrs. Tatiana Moskalkova, High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation;
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, participants in this important international conference that contributes to strengthening the unity and brotherhood of our peoples in this permanent struggle for the fulfillment of Human Rights throughout the world.
Receive fraternal greetings from our President of the Republic, Comandante Daniel Ortega and Vice President of the Republic, Comrade Rosario Murillo.
The Government of Reconciliation and National Unity, since 2007, in this second stage of the Sandinista Popular Revolution, has given continuity to the process of structural changes, to guarantee the progressive advance in the enjoyment of Human Rights of the Nicaraguan nation, as well as sustainable development throughout our territory, through a Country model, inspired by Christian, socialist and solidarity values; that has allowed us to move towards a more just, equitable and inclusive society; where the people, the families and the communities are the origin and the end of its activity.
This development model stands out for the leading role of the People of Nicaragua in the implementation of a National Human Development Plan that guarantees the exercise of Human Rights in the economic, social, cultural, civil, political and environmental spheres, adjusted to the reality, history and culture of the Nicaraguan people, as a national project, without discrimination and with the participation of all the majority sectors of our society, in which youth and women play a fundamental role.
Currently, our Fourth National Human Development Plan (2022-2026), aimed at fighting Poverty and promoting Human Development, is materialized in policies, programs and transformative actions; in order to achieve sustained economic growth, poverty reduction, employment generation, promotion and facilitation of investments, reduction of social inequality, improvement of quality of life, health, education and protection of natural resources, among others.
Nicaragua was one of the first Latin American countries to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG1) of halving poverty and hunger; likewise, the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to reduce by two thirds by 2015 the mortality rate of children under 1 and 5 years of age for every 1,000 live births was achieved.
At the economic and social level, general poverty was reduced at the national level, going from 42.5% in 2009 to 24.9% in 2016, extreme poverty went from 14.6% in 2009 to 6.9% in 2016, obtaining recognition from the Inter-American Bank of Development, which highlighted that Nicaragua has managed to reduce poverty rates in a sustained manner.
Between 2007 and 2014, Nicaragua managed to reduce the index of the undernourished population, from 50.5% to 16%. Through the implementation of the National Plan for Production, Consumption and Trade, Nicaragua has reached 95% of food consumed by Nicaraguans, achieving food sovereignty for the entire population.
To guarantee the human right to healthcare, Nicaragua has an integrated network of medical services nationwide, which includes 77 hospitals, 143 health centers, 80 mobile clinics, 1,333 health posts, 5 specialized centers and 178 maternity homes. Likewise, there is a network of more than 42,000 community leaders integrated into health services. 18 hospitals have been built since 2007, all of them for free!
In terms of education, Nicaragua declared free education since 2007, having achieved significant progress and recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in 2009, declaring Nicaragua as a territory free of illiteracy. At the same time, we continue to make greater efforts to restore the right to free, equitable and quality education.
In 2007, Nicaragua ranked 90th in the gender gap index of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, while in 2020, Nicaragua ranked 5th in the same index. We are in 3rd place in the world ranking on the participation of women in ministerial positions, with 58.8%, which includes the portfolios of health, education, family, defense, governance, natural resources, telecommunications, labor, among others; in terms of women's participation in parliament, Nicaragua ranks 6th with 47.3%.
Nicaraguan youth are protagonists of all rights, they have opportunities and conditions that allow them to develop their talents, abilities and skills; in line with their dreams and aspirations, through free education at all levels, free healthcare, sports, recreation, culture and leisure, access to technology, the right to work and the right to live free from all types of violence.
A historic increase in household electricity coverage was achieved throughout the national territory, where we went from 54% in 2007 to 99% in 2021.
Another historical milestone for Nicaragua is that for the first time in 200 years of national history and more than 125 since the incorporation of the Caribbean Coast into the Nicaraguan nation, it was possible to communicate by land the pacific and central regions of the country, with the main cities of the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua.
This model of human rights and of the country has been defended with love and tenacity by the People of Nicaragua, who remain firm in the face of the multiple attacks and onslaughts suffered by countries and organizations aligned with the interests of Yankee imperialism, which imposes, unilaterally and coercively, sanctions and blockades, contrary to the principles of Human Rights, International Law and the nature of the respectful relations that must exist between States. Despite this, the political will of the Government of Nicaragua and the very essence of dignity and sense of nationhood of the Nicaraguan people are the immovable and fundamental pillars to continue guaranteeing Sovereignty, Self-determination, Peace and Human Rights.
Rights that all, united, from every corner of the planet earth, must promote and defend, characterized by absolute respect for the sovereign right of countries and peoples to walk their own paths, to achieve equality, solidarity and the common good of All society.
Thank you very much.