UN Human Rights Denounces Nicaragua’s Repressive Climate
and ongoing detentions and expulsions
HAVANA TIMES – The UN Human Rights Council has issued an alert regarding the repressive climate in Nicaragua, including arbitrary detentions, forced statelessness and torture. They urge an immediate end to abuses and a return to the democratic path.
The political situation in Nicaragua “has continued to deteriorate,” and “a severe, repressive climate” reigns in the country the UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights indicated in a statement on December 9. They recalled that since February 2023, as least 546 Nicaraguans have been stripped of their nationality, and currently 76 people are arbitrarily detained.
In addition, in the last few months, the Nicaraguan authorities have pushed Constitutional changes “aimed at concentrating more power in the Presidency and criminalizing dissenting voices,” Nada Al Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, stressed in an update on the situation in the country. The report was presented in a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council.
Regarding the 546 Nicaraguans who have been stripped of their nationality and expelled from the country – 135 of these in September 2024 – Al Nashif recalled that they have been “left in precarious conditions abroad,” and that many of them are stateless with their assets confiscated.
“Many others are not able to establish their Nicaraguan nationality, as the government refuses to renew their passports or issue documentation abroad, erasing their legal identity and impeding their connections to their homeland,” highlighted the number two authority in the UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.
Arbitrary Detentions
In terms of the arbitrary detentions, Al Nashif noted that political opponents, religious and indigenous leaders and human rights advocates continue being the victims of that abusive policy. “In the last days of November, at least 30 people were reportedly arbitrarily detained, among them three children,” the deputy high commissioner indicated.
He added that the UN Human Rights Office has received information that “reveals a consistent pattern of due process violations, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, dire detention conditions and physical and psychological torture, including sleep deprivation and denial of medical care.”
Al Nashif mentioned some individual cases of victims of abuse, such as Angelica Chavarria, partner of now-deceased retired General Humberto Ortega, whose whereabouts has been unknown since May 2024. Humberto Ortega died in September, after having been put under house arrest by his brother, Daniel Ortega, and his sister-in-law, Rosario Murillo.
He also cited the case of indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera and of Steadman Fagoth, former presidential adviser on indigenous affairs. Both are also in conditions of forced disappearance.
“We urge the immediate release of all people arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, including those detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly,” stated Al Nashif, who also demanded an end to forced disappearances and of cases of torture and mistreatment.
Concern over Constitutional “reforms”
In terms of legal changes of concern to the Human Rights office, Al Nashif referred to: “recently enacted legal reforms [that] significantly expand state powers to prosecute certain crimes,” even some presumed crimes committed outside of Nicaragua.
That type of law, which includes social media activities that authorities deem might “induce panic,” or threaten social stability, “pave the way for further politically motivated persecution and an alarming erosion of fundamental rights,” he declared.
Al Nashif also mentioned the Constitutional “reforms” that are in the process of legislative approval. Once in effect, these changes “will further erode the rule of law.” The new articles include “ambiguous provisions that are likely to unduly restrict fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression and the right of peaceful assembly.”
Al Nashif concluded that the human rights crisis in Nicaragua “is deepening,” and underlined: “It is in the interest of the people of Nicaragua for the Government to return to a democratic path and to pursue a meaningful and constructive dialogue to this end.”