Free expression advocacy groups urge the UNHRC to ensure human rights protection in Nicaragua during its fourth UPR cycle. Since 2018, Nicaragua has faced intense repression against dissenting voices, claiming numerous human rights violations. Reports detail a harsh reality of persecution against journalists and civic organizations, prompting calls for immediate action to uphold media freedom and expression rights.
On November 13, 2024, in the heart of Geneva, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will be tasked with the vital review of Nicaragua’s human rights situation amid a significant crisis ignited by civil protests since 2018. Numerous organizations implore the Council to ensure the safeguarding of freedom of expression and press freedom during Nicaragua’s fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR). As the shadows of state repression loom larger, activists, journalists, and educators find themselves ensnared in a web of persecution for dissenting against governmental narratives. Despite Nicaragua’s assertion, in its recent National Report, that freedom of expression remains intact, countless reports by civil society and international entities paint a starkly different image of a nation under siege. The agencies have documented an almost total stifling of civic engagement and the relentless targeting of dissenters. From 2019 to 2023, incidents of arbitrary detentions, physical assaults, and judicial harassment flooded in against journalists and media personnel, eroding their rights further. This landscape transformed into a revolving door of exile and nationality stripping, putting into jeopardy the basic human rights of many, leading to an alarming displacement of around 440,260 people, nearly 6.5% of Nicaragua’s populace. Moreover, the UNHCR unaffectionately notes that more than 317 individuals suffered the indignity of denationalization under accusations of treason. As of August 2024, a staggering number of 5,664 media outlets and organizations were forced into silence, imprisoned by restrictive state mechanisms and a legal framework designed to crush dissent. With each closed door, the dream of a pluralistic democratic society slips further into the abyss. In this harrowing backdrop, the undersigned organizations call upon Nicaragua to cease its oppressive tactics immediately. They urge the UNHRC to amplify support for those voicing dissent and to safeguard these critical voices by enacting robust measures against the violations of freedom of expression and press freedom. Recommendations must not just reside in discussions but translate into actionable steps protecting and nurturing the fragile fabric of human rights in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua has been grappling with a profound human rights crisis since 2018, catalyzed by powerful citizen protests met with fierce governmental repression. This systematic crackdown has led to the stifling of freedom of expression and press freedom, as state mechanisms argue that dissent is a threat to national security. The Universal Periodic Review serves as a crucial mechanism where the UNHRC examines the human rights conditions within member states, urging necessary changes while highlighting abuses and violations, particularly concerning the rights of journalists and civil society. As Nicaragua prepares for its fourth UPR, the stakes are high, demanding immediate attention to the deteriorating conditions faced by dissidents and the media.
The upcoming review in Geneva stands as a pivotal moment for Nicaragua. The international community must not only bear witness but actively intervene to restore the vital tenets of freedom of expression and protect those courageous enough to challenge tyranny. With ongoing reports illustrating the dire state of human rights in Nicaragua, the calls for urgent reform resonate louder than ever. The survival of democracy and the dignity of countless voices hang in a delicate balance, urging action.
Original Source: ifex.org
