Nicaragua has recently revoked the registration of 1,500 non-profit organizations, marking a significant development in the country's ongoing crackdown on civil society. These organizations, which encompass a wide range of sectors including sports, health, women's rights, LGBTQ rights, legal associations, and religious groups, have been accused of failing to submit financial statements for periods ranging from one to 35 years.
Among the affected organizations were sports clubs that catered to basketball, tennis, and soccer enthusiasts, as well as religiously-affiliated groups, with over 400 of them being Christian organizations. The cancellation of legal status for the Diocese of Matagalpa's Caritas, led by Bishop Rolando Alvarez, has also drawn attention for alleged bureaucratic reasons.
Nicaragua, under the leadership of President Daniel Ortega, has witnessed a significant erosion of civil liberties, with the government targeting opposition figures, journalists, and human rights activists using broad national security laws. The violent suppression of anti-regime protests in 2018 resulted in numerous casualties, with security forces reportedly killing hundreds of individuals and detaining thousands more.
The United Nations has expressed deep concerns over the human rights situation in Nicaragua, particularly highlighting the recent arrests of 35 individuals as part of a broader crackdown on civic space. The escalating tensions and restrictions on civil society have led to a significant exodus of Nicaraguans seeking refuge abroad.
