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The regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo announced its withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN), in response to the latest report from the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN).
The report, presented on February 26, 2025, indicates that the Nicaraguan Army participated in the repression of the protests in 2018, contradicting the government's official version. It also documents systematic human rights violations, including extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions, forced exile, and political repression.
Vice President Rosario Murillo, in her midday speech, stated that Nicaragua's exit from the Human Rights Council is an "act of decency" and a measure to "preserve the decorum and pride" of the country.
In a letter addressed to the president of the Human Rights Council, Jürg Lauber, the government of Nicaragua expressed its rejection of the accusations in the report and described the UN mechanisms as "a sounding board for those who have acted against peace and tranquility" in the country.
"For Nicaragua, these disrespectful mechanisms have lost their nature and decency; we do not recognize them, and we do not see ourselves as part of or complicit in abuses against sovereignty, the equality of states, and the dignity of peoples. For this reason, Nicaragua conveys its sovereign and irrevocable decision to withdraw from the Human Rights Council and all activities related to this council and all its satellite mechanisms," declared Murillo.
The statement was also signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Valdrack Jaentschke, who reiterated that the government does not recognize the UN Human Rights Experts Group or the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The UN report on Nicaragua
The Human Rights Experts Group on Nicaragua presented its report on February 26, 2025, documenting the country's evolution into an authoritarian state under the absolute control of Ortega and Murillo.
The report states that the Nicaraguan Army actively participated in the repression of the 2018 protests, with extrajudicial executions and direct orders to "neutralize" protesters. It also highlights that the regime has intensified its persecution of the opposition, resorting to denationalization, arbitrary detentions, and confiscations of property.
Furthermore, the document indicates that the government of Nicaragua has promoted a constitutional reform that eliminated the last institutional checks on the Executive, consolidating a system of repression where the State and the ruling party act as one entity.
UN experts warned that some of the documented crimes could constitute crimes against humanity and recommended international legal actions against Nicaragua, including complaints to the International Court of Justice.
Since April 2018, the Ortega and Murillo regime has been criticized by international organizations for the repression of protests, the closure of media outlets, and the persecution of opponents.
The GHREN report also recalls that, in September 2024, 135 political prisoners were expelled to Guatemala and stripped of their nationality, bringing the total number of denationalized individuals in recent years to 452.
Moreover, on February 18, 2025, a constitutional reform took effect that abolished the independence of the legislative and judicial powers, establishing total dominance of the Executive over the country's institutions.
Nicaragua's withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council confirms the Ortega and Murillo regime's refusal to subject itself to any international scrutiny while maintaining its stance of denying allegations of human rights violations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nicaragua's Withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council
Why did Nicaragua decide to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council?
Nicaragua withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council in response to the report from the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, which documented systematic human rights violations by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. The Nicaraguan government labeled the UN mechanisms as "disrespectful" and chose not to be part of what they consider "abuses" against their sovereignty.
What does the UN report accuse the Nicaraguan government of?
The UN report accuses the government of Nicaragua of systematic human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and political repression. It also documents the participation of the Army in the repression of the 2018 protests and points out the constitutional reform that removes institutional checks on the Executive.
How has the international community reacted to Nicaragua's withdrawal from the Human Rights Council?
The international community has expressed concern over the deterioration of the human rights situation in Nicaragua. Organizations and governments have indicated that the withdrawal from the Human Rights Council reflects the Ortega and Murillo regime's refusal to accept international scrutiny and address allegations of human rights violations.
What are the implications of the constitutional reform in Nicaragua mentioned in the report?
The constitutional reform in Nicaragua consolidates the absolute power of the Ortega and Murillo regime by removing checks on the Executive and formalizing Rosario Murillo's role as co-president. This measure reinforces the concentration of power and eliminates the independence of the Legislative and Judicial branches, intensifying repression and control over the country's institutions.
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