Nicaragua has severed ties with the U.N. Human Rights Council amidst mounting criticisms of its oppression of human rights, democracy, and religious groups. The decision, branded by President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo as “sovereign and irrevocable,” follows recent condemnations from the Council about their treatment of religious organisations. Critics, like Ariela Peralta, describe the regime as one engaged in the “methodical repression” of dissent.
According to the International Christian Concern, Ortega and Murillo have manipulated Nicaragua’s democratic framework into a pseudo-dictatorial regime. The watchdog stated that the couple has consolidated power by declaring Murillo co-president and undermining the independence of the legislative and judicial branches. The U.N. corroborated such findings, highlighting the transformation of the country into an authoritarian state devoid of independent institutions.
Amidst calls for legal repercussions for human rights violations, the Alliance Defending Freedom International has taken action against Nicaragua for imprisoning 11 pastors, who face severe fines for alleged crimes. The pastors were detained in November 2023 after holding evangelistic events and were accused of money laundering and organised crime, charges they vehemently deny, deeming them baseless and a response to their successful outreach efforts.
These religious leaders endured more than eight months of imprisonment under appalling conditions, deprived of contact with their families or adequate legal representation. Subsequently, they received sentences ranging from 12 to 15 years, alongside exorbitant fines. ADF’s petition to the Inter-American Commission detailed a “fraudulent conviction,” urging Nicaragua to respect human rights.
Although these pastors have since been released, Nicaragua’s government has taken no further action to protect or clear their names. ADF is now appealing to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to hold Nicaragua accountable for its actions against these religious leaders. ADF legal counsel Kristina Hjelkrem asserted the importance of accountability for this oppression while voicing concern over the dire situation in the country.
Defiantly unfazed by international criticism, Ortega has previously dismissed U.N. reports as part of a smear campaign against Nicaragua. Murillo categorised the latest U.N. report as “falsehoods” and “slander.” Nicaragua has been classified as a Country of Particular Concern since 2022 due to its severe violations of religious freedoms, with a recent State Department report indicating continued government harassment of clergy and religious communities.
As noted in the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom’s latest report, conditions for religious freedom in Nicaragua have deteriorated sharply, with intensified government actions against Catholic clergy and institutions, including arrests and harassment, demonstrating the regime’s growing intolerance for dissent.
Nicaragua has withdrawn from the U.N. Human Rights Council after facing criticisms for human rights abuses and oppression of religious groups. Following the imprisonment of 11 pastors, international organisations demand accountability for the regime’s oppressive actions. President Ortega and Vice President Murillo have intensified their grip on power, dismissing international condemnation and claims of a smear campaign.
Nicaragua’s withdrawal from the U.N. Human Rights Council signals a troubling retreat from accountability amidst widespread human rights abuses. The Ortega-Murillo regime’s systematic oppression of religious groups, evidenced by the unjust imprisonment of pastors, reflects a troubling trend of authoritarianism. International watchdogs continue to advocate for justice, underscoring the urgency to address Nicaragua’s deteriorating human rights landscape and hold its leaders accountable for their actions.
Original Source: cbn.com
