July 19, 2022
Cited article by Human Rights Watch
HRRC supports humanitarian organizations and other groups working to benefit human rights and social justice. The Nicaraguan government demonstrates the clear use of abusive tactics against such groups which hold the government accountable through information and reporting. The government must end its targeting of NGO's and reinstate the organizations' ability to operate in the country.
Article Summary
Nicaraguan authorities have dismantled hundreds of NGO's and applied legislation that restricts freedom of association and freedom of expression. These civil society groups play a critical role in the country which now has no independent institutions to act as a check against executive powers. Since June 6, 2022, the government has forced to close over 770 NGO's, organizations, and foundations. These organizations worked on a variety of issues, including medical associations. In the past four years, the government cancelled the registration of over 950 organizations.
These shutdowns are part of broader actions which have silenced civil society groups and independent media outlets. Tactics used include "abusive legislation, intimidation, harassment, arbitrary detention, and prosecution of human rights defenders and journalists".