Nicaragua
Monday 27.1.2020 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
91 political prisoners released but HRDs and journalists face continuous hostility and threats
On 16th December 2019, human rights defender Juan Chamorro said that he has received several death threats from President Daniel Ortega supporters. Chamorro is the director of opposition coalition Alianza Cívica. Read more | Read in Spanish
Thursday 28.11.2019 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
Human rights defenders in Nicaragua subjected to criminalisation, defamation and harassment
A crackdown on protests in November 2019 has raised alarm in Nicaragua. On 14th November 2019, nine mothers of imprisoned opposition activists began a hunger strike in the San Miguel Church in Masaya, calling for the release of 130 people allegedly detained in the context of the protests. According to reports, the premises were quickly barricaded by police and pro-government groups, who cut off water and electricity. They were under siege for nine days. Activists who attempted to provide water and medicine to the strikers have been criminalised.
In addition, reports indicate the continuous harassment of human rights defenders and activists who have taken part in protests in the country. Finally, three Nicaraguan newspapers have decided to suspend publications due to the adverse environment in which they have had to operate.
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Tuesday 1.10.2019 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reports persistent repression of dissent in Nicaragua
Despite the negotiations between Nicaragua’s government and the opposition coalition Alianza Cívica por la Justicia y la Democracia (Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy), and notwithstanding the release of 56 political prisoners earlier in 2019, the repression of dissent has persisted in Nicaragua. This is the conclusion of the latest report of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the country’s situation, published on 4th September 2019. At the same time, international writers’ association PEN International stated that the repression of freedom of expression in Nicaragua is becoming more acute. Read more | Read in Spanish
Friday 19.4.2019 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
Political prisoners released while repression of protests continues
On 21st February 2019, Nicaraguan President announced a call to negotiations and dialogue to find a solution to the sociopolitical crisis that began in April 2018. Read more
Friday 22.2.2019 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
Two leaders of Nicaraguan protests sentenced to more than 200 years in prison
On 14th December 2018, the Ministry of Governance announced the cancellation of the legal personality of nine CSOs working for the promotion of democracy and human rights in the country. Read more
Monday 10.12.2018 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
State continues to undermine the right to protest and expression
According to the newspaper La Prensa, new cases of attacks against journalists and independent media outlets have been recorded since the last report. Read more
Tuesday 27.11.2018 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
Concern after brutal attack on women HRDs in prison
On 26th October 2018, a group of masked and armed men broke in the cell of women political prisoners and beat 17 of them. Read more
Friday 9.11.2018 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
Criminalisation of activists and protesters continue forcing people to leave the country
The Nicaraguan government continues to harass and criminalise human rights defenders in the country. On 14th October 2018, two prominent social leaders, Haydeé Castillo and Lottie Cunningham, were detained and prevented from travelling to Washington DC. Read more | Read in Spanish
Tuesday 9.10.2018 Nicaragua - Latest Developments
'They treat us inhumanely', said campesino leader Medardo Mairena from prison
Harassment and attacks against human rights defenders and social leaders in Nicaragua continue. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has granted precautionary measures to protect the rights of more than a hundred people "who are at serious and urgent risk of irreparable harm to their human rights". Read more
