Nicaragua: CSW condemns mass closure of civil society organisations

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Source: CSW/Vatican News

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has condemned the Nicaraguan government's ongoing attack on independent civil society organisations, noting the negative impact on freedom of religion or belief. On 19 August, the government cancelled the legal status of 1500 organisations, approximately one third of which were of a religious nature and affiliated with Roman Catholic or Protestant churches. This was followed on 22 August by the official cancellation of the legal status of another 151 organisations.

CSW sources said that many of the targeted organisations, in the expectation that the authorities will attempt to confiscate their property, are moving quickly to distribute furniture and other items not listed in their official inventories within their neighbourhoods and communities of faith.

In some cases, religious leaders and employees live on the properties associated with the cancelled organisations. Many are now urgently searching for new places to live, said one source, noting that 'they know that if the police arrive before they have been able to remove their belongings, everything, even their clothing will be confiscated. These are days of anguish and uncertainty for the thousands of Nicaraguans who were actively involved with these [non-governmental organisations]. Some are considering their options in case there is a possibility of appeal, but they have no clear understanding as to whether they will be able to continue operating.'

According to Confidencial Digital, from 2018 to mid-August 2024, the Nicaraguan National Assembly, encouraged by President Daniel Ortega and his wife and vice-president, Rosario Murillo, has cancelled the legal status of 5,163 organisations, eliminating more than 70% of registered independent civil society.

A report issued on 3 August by the Human Rights Collective Nicaragua Never Again found that 419 Roman Catholic and Protestant-linked organisations had already had their legal status cancelled. Over 300 of those were associated with Protestant denominations and churches.

CSW's Head of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl said: "CSW strongly condemns the Nicaraguan government's arbitrary cancellation of the legal status of 1651 independent civil society organisations over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, the news comes as no surprise. Under the leadership of President Ortego and Vice-president Murillo, the government has made clear its intention to totally eradicate all independent actors in the country. The social impact of this move, in terms of how it will affect the day to day lives of men, women, and children who interact with, and in some cases depend on, the programmes of the cancelled organisations, is impossible to quantify. We stand with those who have dedicated their lives to the improvement of their communities, in many cases because of their religious beliefs, only to see it all snatched away by a vindictive government with vision limited to its own interests. The international community must make it clear to the Nicaraguan government that its campaign against independent civil society is unacceptable and must stop immediately."

See also: Vatican News- Nicaragua government shuts down 1500 NGOs
www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-08/nicaragua-government-shuts-down-1500-ngos.html