Human rights have “seriously deteriorated” in Nicaragua since 2023: UN

The increase in arbitrary arrests, intimidation of opponents, ill-treatment in custody and attacks against indigenous peoples indicate that the human rights situation in Nicaragua has worsened “seriously” since last year, according to a report published on Tuesday by the United Nations.

The report from the United Nations Human Rights Office (UN-DH) adds to the criticism against the government of President Daniel Ortega, who after the serious 2018 anti-government protestshas imprisoned and expelled hundreds of opponents, as well as withdrawn the registration of thousands of NGOs, universities and media outlets.

The report notes that in May of this year “131 people considered to be opponents were under arbitrary detention, which represents a marked increase compared to the 54 people in June of last year, according to civil society reports.”

It also states that between June and July 2024, another 10 arbitrary arrests took place.

“Authorities continue to target not only those who express dissenting opinions, but also any person or organization acting independently or not directly under their control,” the report added.

He specified that this included human rights defenders, independent media, non-governmental organizations and “any other entity that advocates for social or political change without government oversight.”

The report – based on interviews, meetings and documents – covers 12 months from June 15, 2023, and also documents “12 cases of torture and ill-treatment in detention” and the arbitrary arrest of “at least 27 Catholic priests and seminarians” between October last year and January 2024.

The UN-DH also continued to receive reports of violence against “indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples in the autonomous regions of the Caribbean Coast.”

“It is worrying to see how civic space continues to be severely eroded in Nicaragua and how the exercise of fundamental civil and political rights is becoming increasingly difficult,” said Volker Türk, head of Human Rights at the United Nations, according to a press release issued in Geneva on the occasion of the launch of the report.

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