The United Nations has strongly condemned the recent legislative reforms in Nicaragua that allow the government of President Daniel Ortega to strip dissidents of their citizenship. On Friday, the UN refugee agency declared that the court decision to revoke the citizenship of 94 exiled dissidents earlier this week is contrary to international law. This move has been met with criticism from the US, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling it “another step backwards for the Nicaraguan people and a further step toward solidifying an autocratic regime”.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also spoken out against the decision, stating that “there should be no persecution or reprisals against human rights defenders or individuals expressing critical views”. He further emphasized that “the right to nationality is a fundamental human right” and should not be weaponized against critics.
Among those who had their citizenship removed are Sergio Ramirez, a famous Nicaraguan author, and Silvio Baez, an outspoken Catholic bishop. The decision came after similar steps were taken against 222 political prisoners who were released by the government last week and sent to the United States.
President Ortega has been in power since 2007 and has been accused of jailing political opponents and critical voices, using the authority of the state to remove rivals and consolidate power. This was seen in 2018 when the Ortega government responded to widespread anti-government protests with heavy-handed repression that killed hundreds of people and led to widespread arrests.
In response to the latest decision, Baez took to Twitter in defiance, thanking God for “being Nicaraguan, a pride that no one can ever take away from me”. This sentiment is shared by many Nicaraguans who are standing up against the oppressive regime of President Ortega. The US has also expressed its support for the Nicaraguan people, with Secretary Blinken reiterating his commitment to “supporting a democratic transition in Nicaragua”.
The UN has urged Nicaragua to respect its international obligations and refrain from arbitrarily depriving individuals of their citizenship on racial, ethnic, religious or political grounds. It is clear that the right to nationality is a fundamental human right that must not be violated or weaponized against critics. The international community will continue to monitor the situation in Nicaragua and take action in defense of human rights and democracy.