A recent report by the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) to the Human Rights Council (HRC) reveals alarming constitutional reforms that entrench the executive’s absolute control, stifling dissent and removing prohibitions against torture. These reforms facilitate ongoing crimes against humanity, and a follow-up paper will identify those responsible for these violations in April.
The GHREN’s findings encompass extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and forced disappearances, noting many Nicaraguans are rendered stateless, heightening their vulnerability. Since 2017, 80% of registered NGOs have vanished, wiping out independent civil society in the nation.
Experts highlight a climate of surveillance and silence pervasive among those who remain in Nicaragua, while potential exiles face dire conditions. The majority of states condemned the human rights crisis during discussions, with NGOs testifying against the regime, citing defenders like Fabiola Tercero and Brooklyn Rivera as victims of enforced disappearance.
Following Nicaragua’s withdrawal from the Human Rights Council, GHREN and various states lamented this development, marking Nicaragua’s further isolation from the international community. The report concluded that reviving democracy in Nicaragua will require substantial time and resources.
In light of the dire situation, GHREN provided five critical recommendations for UN Member States, urging support for Nicaraguan civil society, accountability measures under international law, expanded sanctions, protection for stateless individuals, and the application of GHREN findings to international agreements. Additionally, calls for the renewal of mandates for both the OHCHR and GHREN were made, emphasising the need for stronger action against the targeting of Indigenous Peoples and Afro-descendants.
The GHREN’s report to the HRC highlights repressive constitutional reforms in Nicaragua that reinforce executive power and facilitate human rights violations. Key issues include extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and the erasure of civil society. With ongoing threats to human rights defenders, the report urges international accountability and support for vulnerable Nicaraguans. A proposed set of recommendations aims to address the dismal human rights situation.
The GHREN report paints a bleak picture of Nicaragua’s human rights landscape, highlighting constitutional reforms that consolidate power and sanction human rights abuses. The plight of stateless citizens and the demise of civil society demand urgent international intervention. The experts’ recommendations, aimed at promoting accountability and protection for the vulnerable, are crucial for fostering hope in a country where democracy seems a distant dream.
Original Source: ishr.ch
