A recent UN report reveals a deteriorating human rights situation in Nicaragua from June 15, 2023, to June 15 this year. The report, issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), compiles evidence from 120 interviews with victims and witnesses as well as 106 meetings with civil society representatives and the international community. The findings demonstrate widespread human rights abuses, particularly targeting potential government opponents.
According to the report, numerous government critics were found to be arbitrarily arrested. Many detainees faced unfair trials, inhumane conditions, and torture, contravening the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Additionally, regional elections in 2023 saw civilians being prevented from participating in public affairs due to the forced dissolution of political parties, a practice also observed during the 2021 elections, ultimately allowing President Daniel Ortega to secure a fourth consecutive term.
Opposition candidates and groups, including religious organizations, were not spared. At least 27 Catholic priests and seminarians faced arbitrary arrests between October 2023 and January 2024. The report also highlighted the unequal protection of rights along race and gender lines. Women and indigenous communities in Nicaragua encountered significant challenges in securing rights protections, facing high levels of gender-based violence and inadequate consultation regarding the use of indigenous lands.
The OHCHR has recommended that the Nicaraguan government takes immediate steps to comply with international obligations, starting with the release of arbitrarily detained individuals and the cessation of torture and inhumane treatment. OHCHR’s chief Volker Türk stated the need for an “urgent change of path from the [g]overnment” and pointed to the 2026 elections as a potential opportunity for change.
Nicaragua has faced substantial criticism for its lack of protections against corruption. Freedom House’s 2023 Freedom in the World report rated Nicaragua as “not free,” giving it a score of 16 out of 100, largely due to the restrictions on political and civil freedoms. Further, new controversial laws in Nicaragua have reportedly enabled convictions for those promoting sanctions against the government, further stifling opposition.
The full release of the UN report and its detailed findings can be accessed here.