As the presidential election in November approaches, President Daniel Ortega’s regime has increased harassment and indictments against government critics.
The legislature passed a bill in October mandating businesses and individuals who accept financing from outside the country to register as foreign agents. The law prohibits such foreign agents from meddling in internal or external political issues, activities. It was the start of a new wave of restrictive legislation.
As President Ortega maneuvered to win a fourth term, a wave of arrests began in late May. Seven presidential candidates and at least 20 government critics had been jailed as of August 2, including former high-ranking members of President Ortega’s Sandinista political party, journalists, students, and business and community leaders.
More than 108,000 Nicaraguans have fled since the 2018 crackdown, with two-thirds seeking asylum in Costa Rica. Many others will most likely flee as a result of Ortega’s crackdown, with rising repercussions for the region.
Government critics are accused of planning terrorist and disruptive operations with the help of foreign governments. By intimidating defense lawyers and forcing them to leave, authorities are denying critics’ rights to choose counsel and to fair trials.
On August 2, the European Union’s Council imposed targeted measures on eight government officials accused of severe human rights abuses and undermining the rule of law, including asset freezes and travel bans.
Nicaragua has been the subject of yearly resolutions by the United Nations Human Rights Council since 2019. The current and past United Nations High Commissioners for Human Rights have both expressed concern about the deterioration of human rights in the country.
We call on the United Nations, international organizations, governments, the European Union, the United States, to supplement, strengthen, and coordinate international sanctions against Nicaragua in response to the country’s ongoing human rights violations.