452 Nicaraguans Left Stateless in UN Report on Dictatorship

A United Nations expert group reported on Wednesday that Nicaragua’s co-presidents have established a dictatorship and committed crimes against humanity. The report details a systematic process to eliminate opposition through arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, and the removal of citizenship from political rivals.

Jan-Michael Simon, who chairs the Geneva-based Human Rights Council group, described the current political structure as a full dictatorship aimed at permanent dynastic rule. He noted that Daniel Ortega declared four months ago that the country would never hold elections again. Simon stated that the group has investigated alleged violations in Nicaragua since April 2018, a period during which the government denies the findings.

The report cites specific legal mechanisms used to weaken opposition. Reed Brody, a group member and Hungarian American human rights lawyer, explained that at least 452 people have been declared traitors and stripped of citizenship since February 2023. These individuals are now stateless. The group identified former Sandinista leaders, a former vice president, and all 2021 presidential candidates among those affected. Brody also described a surveillance network that monitors and intimidates Nicaraguans living abroad.

The co-presidents, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, have held power since 2018. That year, mass protests were met with a crackdown that killed hundreds of people. Ortega declared victory in the 2021 election after jailing competitors. The United States does not recognize his presidency. Since 2018, the government has closed more than 5,000 organizations, many of which were religious, and thousands of citizens have fled the country.

Nicaragua’s government responded to the U.N. findings by criticizing the Human Rights Council. The government called the agency manipulated, obsolete, and interfering. It accused neo-colonialist powers of using human rights as a tool for political aggression. The government also stated that authorities often accuse critics of working for the United States and its enemies to undermine the state.

Brody said the ruling Sandinista Party has total control over the police, courts, and prisons. Under the constitution adopted last year, the legislature and judiciary are controlled by the co-presidents. He stated there are no opposition parties, independent press, or critical nongovernmental organizations remaining inside the country.

The experts urged nations to bring a case against Nicaragua at the International Court of Justice regarding violations of the convention on statelessness. Nicaragua is not a party to the International Criminal Court.