IACHR files case with IA Court concerning threats and harassment targeting CENIDH members in Nicaragua

January 23, 2025

Washington, DC—On December 26, 2024, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) submitted Case No. 14.777 against Nicaragua to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The case concerns the persistent threats and attacks faced by members of the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH).

Founded in May 1990, the CENIDH has been a cornerstone of human rights promotion and protection in Nicaragua. Over the past decade, its members have endured systematic harassment by the Government.

Since April 18, 2018, the Nicaraguan State has been targeting CENIDH by conducting public smear campaigns, disrupting its internet access, attacking members, denying the right to peaceful protest, canceling its legal status, raiding its premises, and confiscating its property.

In Merits Report no. 196/23, the IACHR determined that the CENIDH engaged in peaceful protests that were met with violent repression by the police force. The IACHR underlined that the State did not guarantee the organization's freedom to operate and actively encouraged the attacks against its members, violating their personal integrity.

The report also noted that the government disrupted peaceful demonstrations organized by the CENIDH, including banning a demonstration commemorating International Human Rights Day. On April 25, 2018, the State declared the CENIDH "nonoperational," leading to the revocation of its legal status and infringing upon its right to freedom of expression.

The IACHR found that the Nicaraguan State violated the rights enshrined in articles 5.1, 8.1, 8.2, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 21, and 25.1 of the American Convention on Human Rights in conjunction with articles 1.1 and 2, to the detriment of the members of the CENIDH. These violations include rights relating to personal integrity, freedom of association, freedom of expression, judicial guarantees, and judicial protection.

Consequently, the IACHR recommended that the State undertake the following measures of reparation:

1. Provide material and moral reparations for the human rights violations acknowledged in the report.
2. Revoke the decree canceling the CENIDH's legal status and return confiscated property and the organization's premises to its members in the same condition as before the raid.
3. Implement a support program for victims and their families.
4. Conduct a thorough investigation to identify and sanction those responsible for the violations.
5. Implement urgent security measures for the defenders who have been impacted by these events and their families.
6. Amend Article 17(6) of Law 872 to ensure the right to assembly aligns with international standards.
7. Adopt measures of nonrepetition, such as: (i) reforming security institutions to eliminate conditions enabling the repression of human rights defenders; (ii) amend regulations governing nonprofit organizations to prevent them from being misused to sanction legitimate human rights work; and (iii) establish an independent mechanism to protect human rights defenders, in line with international best practices.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 019/25

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