“Persecution of opponents to the Government or those perceived as dissenting voices has progressively been extended and intensified,” UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said at the bi-weekly briefing in Geneva this morning.
“The authorities continue to persecute not only those who express dissenting opinions but also any individual or organisation that operates independently or does not fall directly under their control. This includes human rights defenders, independent media outlets, non-governmental organisations, and any other entities that advocate for social or political change without government oversight,” he added.
“In the city of Matagalpa, in October 2023, authorities arrested a 70-year-old man for criticizing the Government in casual conversation. His whereabouts were hidden for a month, before he was convicted to seven years in prison, for arms trafficking, in proceedings lacking fair trial guarantees,” the spokesperson stated.
The report is based on 120 interviews mainly with victims and witnesses of human rights violations, meetings with representatives of civil society and the international community, as well as analysis of government and NGO documents. It covers a 12-month period starting from 15 June 2023 and provides detailed description of cases of arbitrary detention, at least two documented enforced disappearances, as well as violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.
The report notes that 131 perceived opponents were under arbitrary arrest as of May 2024, a steep increase compared to last year, according to civil society reports. Another 10 arbitrary arrests occurred in June and July 2024.
“Our office also continued to receive reports of violence committed against Indigenous peoples and people of African descent in the Caribbean Coast region, with at least two documented killings by settlers, who do not belong to these communities and seek to control their lands. Attacks, including gender-based violence, were carried out in a context of widespread impunity,” he said.
“Religious freedoms in Nicaragua continued to be subjected to undue restrictions, according to the report. At least 27 Catholic priests and seminarians were arbitrarily arrested between October 2023 and January 2024. A group of 31 clergymen were expelled from the country after being detained for various periods,” the spokesperson added.
Authorities have also revoked the legal status of many religious organizations, as part of a wider trend of arbitrary cancellations of NGOs’ legal status. During the reporting period, over 300 organisations, including those defending women’s rights, had their status revoked. In August 2024, a further 1,700 organisations were shut down in the most severe blow inflicted to civil society, bringing the total number of dissolved organisations to over 5000 since 2018.
“Just last week authorities proposed a draft law to allow the prosecution of individuals abroad for alleged crimes including money laundering, terrorism, and its financing and cybercrime, raising new concerns that such broad laws will also be used to further pressure and intimidate exiled citizens and foreigners for the legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression and other rights,” said Al-Kheetan.
“UN high commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk calls for an urgent change of path from the Government. The 2026 elections offer a new opportunity. It is crucial that the right to political participation is fully respected for Nicaraguans to be able to safely and freely decide the future of their country,” the spokesperson said.
“The high commissioner urges the Government to release immediately all those arbitrarily detained, to ensure fair trials and due process for the accused, and a safe and voluntary return for the exiled. He also called for an end to acts of torture and ill-treatment, for holding perpetrators to account, for ceasing all forms of persecution, and reinstating previously held legal status for civil society organiations and political parties,” he said.