The United Nations Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua has expressed its concern over the mass revocation of credentials belonging to lawyers and notaries in Nicaragua. This move by the Nicaraguan government has caused significant alarm within the international legal community, as lawyers report not receiving any prior notification or explanation for the sudden suspension of their professional licenses. Many were unaware of these actions until they attempted court appearances or legal filings, underscoring the opaque nature of the revocation process. This latest development has been highlighted in a recent report from GHREN.
Reed Brody, a member of the UN group, characterized the revocation as part of a pattern of judicial erosion in Nicaragua. He noted that the mass stripping of credentials marks a significant escalation following previous measures against judges. Brody emphasized that international legal standards demand a fair hearing before an independent body when barring legal practice, a principle blatantly disregarded in this instance.
The actions in question are believed to affect hundreds, potentially thousands, of legal professionals, including those who have previously served as judicial officials or who have connections to the ruling Sandinista party. Ariela Peralta, another GHREN expert, highlighted the persistent persecution lawyers have faced since 2018, ranging from harassment and threats to detention and exile.
This situation has been exacerbated by constitutional reforms completed in 2025, which reduced the judiciary’s independence and led to widespread criticism, as noted by human rights groups. In October 2023, the Nicaraguan police took over the Supreme Court of Justice, displacing multiple judicial officials and effectively consolidating governmental control over the legal system.
Voices from within the legal community, such as exiled lawyer Juan Diego Barberena, argue that these measures are designed to prevent legal professionals from influencing the future of Nicaragua’s institutions. Barberena interprets these actions as a move toward totalitarian oversight of the legal profession, adding another layer of control to the Nicaraguan government’s already tight grip on dissent.
The UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua was created by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022 to investigate alleged violations in the country since April 2018. Through their ongoing reports, they continue to draw attention to the systemic challenges facing the Nicaraguan judiciary.