MANAGUA, June 21 (Xinhua) -- The Nicaraguan government and the opposition still have no set date to restart their dialogue, though bishops from the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua (ECN) are trying to mediate between the two sides in order to stop protests and violence.
Archbishop of Managua and President of the ECN Leopoldo Brenes said Thursday that the dialogue would likely restart after the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) presents a report on the crisis in Nicaragua to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States.
"We know the situation but this report which will be presented tomorrow will help to gain insights," said Brenes.
The dialogue was suspended last Tuesday by the ECN, after the opposition walked away. The government was accused of not inviting international human rights organizations to enter Nicaragua as promised and not verifying allegations of human rights violations on the ground.
In the past two months, the country has seen a surge of street violence, after the administration of President Daniel Ortega increased social security contributions and reduced the pensions of retired people by 5 percent.
These measures sparked nationwide outrage and while they have since been revoked by Ortega, protesters continue to demand his resignation and sweeping institutional changes.
The bishops and IACHR representatives are seeking a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis, which has left people dead or injured.
