U.N. Panel Accuses Nicaragua Leaders of Dictatorship

A United Nations expert panel reported Wednesday that Nicaragua's co-presidents have established a dictatorship.

The group, appointed by the Human Rights Council, stated there are reasonable grounds to believe crimes against humanity have been committed in the country.

The experts have investigated allegations of violations since April 2018. They documented actions by Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, aimed at eliminating opposition. These actions included arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, and political persecution.

Jan-Michael Simon, chair of the group, told reporters that the dictatorship aims for permanent dynastic rule. He noted that Ortega declared four months ago that Nicaragua would never hold elections again.

The panel found that the ruling Sandinista Party maintains total control over the police, courts, and prisons. A new constitution adopted last year removed the independence of the legislature and judiciary. Reed Brody, a member of the group, said there are no opposition parties, independent press, or critical non-governmental organizations remaining inside the country.

Since February 2023, at least 452 individuals considered political opponents have been declared traitors. This includes former Sandinista leaders, a former vice president, and all presidential candidates from 2021. The government stripped these individuals of their citizenship, leaving them stateless.

Nicaragua's government described the Human Rights Council as manipulated and obsolete. The country withdrew from the agency and accused neo-colonialist powers of using human rights for political aggression. The government has closed more than 5,000 organizations since 2018 and forced thousands to flee the nation.

The experts urged other countries to bring a case against Nicaragua to the International Court of Justice. They argued the country violated the convention on statelessness. Nicaragua is not a party to the International Criminal Court.

The U.S. does not recognize Ortega's presidency following the 2021 election. Ortega declared himself the winner after jailing candidates who could have defeated him. Mass protests in 2018 led to a crackdown that killed hundreds. The government often accuses critics of working for the U.S. to undermine its power.