6.5.2024: Nicaragua and Palestine; Upcoming Events June 12, 13 & 23
John Perry: When Nicaragua Took Germany to Court, Media Put Nicaragua in the Dock The corporate media increased its attacks on Nicaragua after the country took Germany to the International Court of Justice. Corporate media had been gifted their criticisms by a report published at the end of February by the UN Human Rights Council. A “group of human rights experts on Nicaragua” (the “GHREN”) had produced its second report on the country. Its first, last year, had accused Nicaragua’s government of crimes against humanity. The GHREN’s leader, German lawyer Jan-Michael Simon, had indeed likened the current Sandinista government to the Nazis. Establishment media, seemingly distracted by the “hypocrisy” of Nicaragua challenging a country whose “legitimacy as a democratic state is unassailable,” mostly failed to notice that its legal efforts were therefore at least partially successful: It forced Germany to back down from its unstinting support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and alerted German politicians to the fact that they are at risk of being held accountable under international law if they transfer any further war weapons.
Becca Renk: South-South Solidarity: Nicaragua Mobilizes International Law to Support Palestine For the countries of the global south, colonialism is not a faded history, but a present and continued threat to their sovereignty and self-determination. It’s no wonder that much of the Global South identifies with the Palestinian people and has mobilized to stop the genocide in Gaza. Nicaragua has been at the forefront of this mobilization: reaffirming solidarity with Palestine. Nicaragua was the first country to sign on to South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice; and on March 1, 2024, Nicaragua brought Germany to the ICJ for aiding and abetting genocide.
In its case against Germany, Nicaragua requested provisional measures: demanding that Germany suspend exports of military equipment to Israel; ensure military items already delivered are not used to commit genocide or violate international law; and resume its support of UNRWA. The ICJ declined to indicate any provisional measures. “The Court’s Order was widely interpreted as a victory for Germany,” writes Talmon. “In particular, it was said that Germany could continue to deliver arms to Israel. A closer examination of the Order, however, points to the opposite.” Germany stated it did not currently export war weapons to Israel and it would resume direct funding of UNRWA’s Gaza operations. The Court warned Germany of its obligations not to support genocide.
“What happens if a superpower doesn’t obey international law?” asks Ambassador Carlos Argüello, Nicaraguan’s Agent to the International Court of Justice. The only option open, he argues, is the mobilization of shame. “That is precisely what is happening around the world at this moment. The students in universities are mobilizing shame. I will say that what we are doing in the Court is a support to these students. The change has to come from within the US, and I am very hopeful that things are moving in that direction.”
Two days after the ICJ announced it would be ruling on the provisional measures, the U.S. Senate announced an imminent vote on a new sanctions package against Nicaragua. For the Global South, Palestine has become a symbol of all peoples who are fighting to break free from colonialism. Nicaragua is clear that South-South solidarity with Palestine is essential as it becomes increasingly clear that the world’s fate is tied up in Palestine’s fate.
UnitedWorldInt.com: Laura Richardson: A modern Athena – NATO in Latin America With a clear militaristic orientation since the arrival of the Biden administration, US policy towards the region has been dominated by the Pentagon and specifically the Southern Command led by General Laura Richardson. She is the main executor of the White House’s decisions in the region. The State Department has been forced to play a secondary role, ceding its traditional “diplomatic” function to practices of militarization of politics. In 2024, this trend is deepening. Richardson has focused on those countries governed by far-right administrations subordinated to the US. However, in all her visits, she points out the danger posed by “Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, which – encouraged by the support of China and Russia – further destabilize the hemisphere and threaten democratic governance.”
Statement by the Nicaraguan Government: For Peace in Palestine and the Region …the new Road Map proposal, presented by the President of the United States, Mr. Joe Biden, seeking to work for an Agreement to achieve Peace in Palestine. This Agreement also establishes the possibility of reaching consensus for a permanent ceasefire that will bring peace to all that people and the region…. Nicaragua’s People -President recognizes the effort reflected in this proposal and trusts in the successful work of the Delegations and Sponsors, so that all of us will be able to see the necessary, absolutely essential and immediate end to a war that has cost such a great deal. We fully support these efforts, salute the countries making the proposal and their participating delegations.
Statement by Nicaraguan Government: Nicaragua supports a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine Nicaragua supports the outlined six point plan reached between the People's Republic of China and the Federal Republic of Brazil on the Political Solution of the Crisis in Ukraine.
Upcoming Events
June 10: Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition monthly zoom meetings: second Monday of the month 2:30 PM ET. Email NicaraguaSolidarityCoalition@gmail.com in advance to access.
June 12: Night of Solidarity between Puerto Rico and Nicaragua: 6 PM ET in-person event at the Nicaraguan Embassy in Washington, DC
June 13: Webinar Hands off the Uhuru 3 Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition and others: Featuring all Uhuru 3, & lawyer Leonard Goodman as speakers, moderated by Margaret Kimberley of Black Agenda Report. Co-sponsored by Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition, Chicago Area Peace Action, Los Ronderos de las Redes & others. The African People’s Socialist Party leadership is being prosecuted by the US government as alleged “foreign agents.” In addition to their case, they will discuss the party’s historical relationship with Nicaragua. To register: bit.ly/Uhuru3
June 23: Nicaragua Webinar: Weaponizing Human Rights: An Arrow in the Quiver of Empire with Alfred de Zayas, Professor of International Law in Geneva, former UN Independent Expert on International Order, author of The Human Rights Industry; and John Perry, 20-year Nicaragua resident, prolific author on Central American geopolitical issues. This webinar will examine the ways that human rights can be manipulated for geopolitical ends and used to justify illegal coercive measures like sanctions. To register: bit.ly/NicaJune23
Casa Ben Linder 2024 delegations to Nicaragua:
Email casabenjaminlinder@gmail.com to apply:
November 8-17 2024: Salud & Solidaridad: Hands-On Healthcare in Nicaragua
February 2025: The Bird Brigade: Birding in Solentiname Arquipelago
March 2025: Power & Protagonism: Women in Nicaragua
Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition: nicasolidarity.com
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