The United Nations Human Rights Council discussed in Geneva the report on the situation in Nicaragua presented by Christian Salazar Volkmann, head of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Salazar Volkmann assured that the New Nicaraguan legislation It could be used to further persecute and repress the population of Nicaragua, even those in exile and foreigners, for the legitimate exercise of their rights.
On Friday, September 6, a law came into effect in Nicaragua to judge those who commit actions abroad against the government, denounced by exiles as a “tool of transnational repression”.
Read more: Six of the 135 Nicaraguans received by Guatemala have requested refuge in the country
In Nicaragua, crimes against the public administration, cybercrime or crimes against the State or institutions are sanctioned with up to 30 years in prison and confiscation of property.
Daniel Ortega‘s government has tightened legislation and repression after the 2018 protests. Since then Some 5,500 NGOs have been closed and their property was confiscated.
Such protests caused More than 300 dead in three months, according to the UN. Since then, thousands of Nicaraguans have gone into exile and have been expelled and their property confiscated.
The law came into effect a day after Ortega’s government released 135 political prisoners, who were sent to Guatemala through months of U.S. mediation.
You might be interested in: Freed Nicaraguans confess that prison was a martyrdom and suffering
A court in Managua ordered on September 10 the Loss of Nicaraguan nationality to 135 peopleconvicted of criminal acts that threatened the sovereignty, independence and self-determination of the Nicaraguan people, and ordered the confiscation of all assets of those convicted.
With this decision, 451 Nicaraguan opponents have been deprived of their nationality since the beginning of 2023, according to an AFP count based on official data.
“Ortega and Murillo denationalize and steal property from the 135 released political prisoners,” Nicaraguan journalist Emiliano Chamorro, exiled in the United States, posted on the social network X.
The US envoy then asked Ortega to will not strip away nationality Nicaraguan to these released prisoners, as it did with other released political prisoners and exiled opponents.
Also read: Thirteen members of the Puerta de la Montaña ministry are among the 135 political prisoners received by Guatemala
One of the latter is the Nicaraguan poet Gioconda Belli, exiled since 2023 in Spain, who, before the Human Rights Council, demanded the “Stop the harassment of critical voices” by the Ortega government.
The dispossession of nationality added to the practice of deny renewal of identification documents its citizens abroad contravenes international law, said the representative of Chile.
“The rights of all people who want to live in Nicaragua must be protected and promoted, Those in exile have the right to a safe return “they can now live their lives in peace in their country,” Salazar said.
“Imperialist” instrument
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights warned last week in its annual report on the situation in Nicaragua of the serious deterioration of human rights under the regime of Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo.
Also read: Volker Türk criticises Venezuela, Nicaragua and Guatemala for restricting rights and co-opting institutions
The report documented Arbitrary arrests of opponents, torture, ill-treatment in detention, increased violence against indigenous communities, attacks on religious freedom, etc.
Nicaragua’s Attorney General, Wendy Morales, denounced via video the injustices, biases and illegalities of the document that in her opinion It was made with a defined agenda.
Morales estimated that the document is a instrument used by the “imperialists” to intervene in Nicaragua’s internal affairs. Morales was sanctioned by the United States in March 2024 for “being complicit in oppression.”
The Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua reported in February 2024 that until June 2023, 271,740 Nicaraguans are listed as asylum seekers in the world and 18,545 obtained refugee status.
The countries with the most asylum seekers were neighbouring Costa Rica and Panama, as well as the United States, Spain and Mexico, he added, citing data from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
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Nicaragua human rights report 2024
Nicaragua’s Human Rights Crisis: A Grave Concern for the International Community
The situation in Nicaragua has taken a dire turn, with the country’s human rights crisis escalating to alarming proportions. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Christian Salazar Volkmann, has expressed deep concern over the government’s actions, which have led to widespread repression and persecution of its citizens. This article provides an overview of the current state of human rights in Nicaragua, highlighting the alarming developments that have sparked international outrage.
New Legislation: A Tool for Transnational Repression
On September 6, a new law came into effect in Nicaragua, allowing the government to prosecute individuals who commit actions against the state from abroad. Critics have denounced this law as a “tool of transnational repression,” enabling the government to extend its reach and persecute Nicaraguans living in exile. This legislation has raised concerns about the government’s intention to further restrict the rights of its citizens, both within and outside the country.
Crimes Against Public Administration: Severe Punishments
Individuals found guilty of crimes against the public administration, cybercrime, or crimes against the state or institutions in Nicaragua face severe punishments, including up to 30 years in prison and confiscation of property. This has led to widespread fear and intimidation among the population, as many are being arbitrarily detained and subjected to mistreatment.
Deterioration of Human Rights
The human rights situation in Nicaragua has seriously deteriorated over the past year, according to a report by the United Nations [[3]]. Arbitrary arrests, torture, ill-treatment, and increased violence against indigenous communities, as well as attacks on religious freedom, have all been documented. The Nicaraguan government has been accused of using harassment and intimidation to silence critical voices, including opposition members, journalists, and human rights defenders.
Loss of Nationality: A Blow to Exiled Opponents
In a recent development, a court in Managua has ordered the loss of Nicaraguan nationality for 135 individuals convicted of criminal acts that threatened the sovereignty, independence, and self-determination of the Nicaraguan people. This decision has sparked outrage among human rights groups, who argue that it is a violation of international law. The United States has urged the Nicaraguan government not to strip the nationality of these released prisoners, as they have the right to a safe return to their country.
International Criticism
The international community has been vocal in its criticism of the Nicaraguan government’s human rights record. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned of the serious deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua, citing reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, and ill-treatment [[2]]. Human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, have also expressed concern over the situation, highlighting the government’s failure to protect human rights [[1]].
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
The Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua has reported that, as of June 2023, 271,740 Nicaraguans are listed as asylum seekers worldwide, with 18,545 obtaining refugee status. The countries with the most asylum seekers are Costa Rica, Panama, the United States, Spain, and Mexico.
Conclusion
The human rights crisis in Nicaragua is a grave concern for the international community. The government’s actions, including the introduction of new legislation and the loss of nationality for exiled opponents, have sparked widespread criticism. It is essential that the international community continues to pressure the Nicaraguan government to respect human rights and allow its citizens to exercise their rights without fear of persecution.
References:
[[1]] Amnesty International, “Human rights in Nicaragua”
<a href="https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters
Nicaragua’s Human Rights Crisis: A Descent into Authoritarianism
The United Nations Human Rights Council has sounded the alarm on the deteriorating human rights situation in Nicaragua, where the government of President Daniel Ortega has been accused of perpetrating serious human rights violations. The country has been experiencing an unprecedented human rights crisis since 2018, marked by a rapid descent into authoritarianism.
New Legislation: A Tool for Repression
On September 6, 2024, a new law came into effect in Nicaragua, allowing the government to judge individuals who commit actions abroad against the government. This legislation has been denounced by exiles as a “tool of transnational repression,” which could be used to further persecute and repress the population of Nicaragua, including those in exile and foreigners who exercise their rights.
Crimes Against the State: Severe Punishments
In Nicaragua, crimes against the public administration, cybercrime, or crimes against the State or institutions are punishable by up to 30 years in prison and confiscation of property. This has led to a significant increase in arbitrary arrests, torture, and ill-treatment in detention, as well as attacks on religious freedom and indigenous communities.
NGO Closures and Asset Confiscation
Following the 2018 protests, Ortega’s government has tightened legislation and repression, resulting in the closure of over 5,500 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the confiscation of their property. This has been accompanied by the expulsion and confiscation of property of thousands of Nicaraguans who have gone into exile.
Loss of Nationality
In a recent decision, a court in Managua ordered the loss of Nicaraguan nationality to 135 people convicted of criminal acts that threatened the sovereignty, independence, and self-determination of the Nicaraguan people. This decision has been widely criticized, with many arguing that it is a violation of international law. According to an AFP count, 451 Nicaraguan opponents have been deprived of their nationality since the beginning of 2023.
UN Human Rights Report 2024
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned of the serious deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua, documenting arbitrary arrests, torture, ill-treatment in detention, increased violence against indigenous communities, and attacks on religious freedom. The report has been dismissed by Nicaragua’s Attorney General, Wendy Morales, who has labeled it as an “instrument used by the ‘imperialists’ to intervene in Nicaragua’s internal affairs.”
International Community Response
The international community has expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Nicaragua. The US envoy has called on Ortega to refrain from stripping the nationality of released political prisoners, while human rights organizations have urged the government to respect the rights of its citizens and to cease its repression of critical voices.
Conclusion
Nicaragua’s human rights crisis is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention from the international community. The government’s use of repressive legislation, arbitrary arrests, and confiscation of