In a call for justice, Human Rights Watch has urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua for an additional two years. This extension is vital as the co-Presidency of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo continues to escalate repression against the population.
Established in March 2022, the group initially had a one-year mandate to investigate human rights abuses in Nicaragua since 2018. Recently, it documented severe violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and torture, asserting that there are reasonable grounds to believe such acts could amount to crimes against humanity.
Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the importance of sustained international attention on Nicaragua, describing it as one of the region’s most oppressive regimes. With the government denying accountability, the group of experts is vital for documenting these violations and pursuing justice.
In its February 2025 report, new evidence emerged showing the Nicaraguan army’s involvement in a violent crackdown on peaceful protesters in 2018 alongside the police and pro-government groups, resulting in 355 fatalities. The group is also advocating for other nations to hold Nicaragua accountable in international courts for violations of human rights treaties.
The situation remains dire, with fifty-two political prisoners currently detained and the Nicaraguan government stripping the citizenship of 546 individuals. Furthermore, over 5,600 NGOs have been forced to close, alongside the shutdown of many universities and media outlets, eradicating dissent and opposition.
In a significant blow to human rights, the National Assembly’s constitutional overhaul has centralised power under the co-presidency, permitting the government to revoke citizenship from those labelled as “traitors.” In February, the government’s withdrawal from multiple international organisations highlights its desire to evade scrutiny after report findings.
As Nicaragua retreats from international oversight, Goebertus stressed the necessity for the Human Rights Council to reaffirm its mandate, shining a light on these grave human rights violations.
Human Rights Watch calls on the UN Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the Group of Experts on Nicaragua for two years amidst escalating repression by the Ortega-Murillo government. Established to investigate human rights violations, the experts have documented serious abuses, urging international accountability as the regime continues systemic suppression and withdrawal from key international bodies.
The ongoing human rights crisis in Nicaragua necessitates an extension of the UN Expert Group’s mandate. As the government of co-Presidents Ortega and Murillo intensifies repression, international oversight remains crucial. The documented violations, systemic closures of dissenting entities, and legal overhauls create a bleak atmosphere that demands accountability and renewed scrutiny.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
