By Aimara Pujadas Clavel / GICJ

The cancellation of the legal personality of 454 Nicaraguan organisations has had an impact not only on human rights organisations but also on other national and international organisations working in the field of education and development. On 16th June 2022, during the 50th session of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, presented the grave constraints on civilian liberties in Nicaragua.  

The New General Law for the Regulation and Control of Non-Profit Organisations, approved on May 6, generates an environment that makes registering said organisations difficult. It instead empowers the government, demanding more information on organisations’ funds, activities, beneficiaries, and imposes a maximum quota of 25% for foreign members in any organisation. Hence, the law obstructs civilians’ right to freedom of association. 

Nicaragua reports a record number of nationals fleeing the country, seeking asylum in Costa Rica or the United States. Furthermore, complaints continue about the deplorable conditions of prisoners arbitrarily detained in the context of the 2018 elections. All were convicted without fair trials, on unverified allegations and deprived of family member visits.

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) urges the Nicaraguan government to respect civilians’ freedom of association and to refrain from obstructing the work of civil society organisations and institutions. We welcome the initiative of the High Commissioner to carry out independent investigations on the cases of arbitrary detention and allegations of inhumane conditions in Nicaraguan facilities.

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