GENEVA/PANAMA – Nicaragua’s Government has employed gender-based violence as a weapon of political repression against women, girls and LGBTIQ+ persons in an effort to punish and silence thousands of people across the country, the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua said in a new report published today.
“Hundreds of women of all ages – defenders, feminists, journalists, political leaders, campesinas, students, as well as Indigenous, Afrodescendant and LGBTIQ+ women – have been subjected to multiple violations and political persecution, exacerbated by gender discrimination and stereotypes,” said Ariela Peralta Distéfano, expert member of the Group.
“Notably, Nicaragua has employed specific forms of gender‑based violence and repression to target women who played and active and prominent role in the country’s public, political and community life,” said Peralta.
The Group emphasized that the main motive behind the violations, abuses and crimes against humanity committed since 2018 in the country is political. However, the gender of the victims influenced how they were chosen, how they were repressed, and the impacts they suffered.
“We have observed that the impacts of these violations have been profound and interconnected, and varied according to the victim’s gender,” said Jan‑Michael Simon, Chair of the Group of Experts. “Political repression against women has had a direct impact on their children, including minors, in contravention of the principle of the best interests of the child.”
“The cancellation of nearly 300 women’s and LGBTIQ+ organizations eliminated fundamental spaces of protection, support and reporting that were used by the population at large,” said Peralta.
“The Government boasts of gender parity, but the women it places in its institutions carry out orders, they don’t give them,” said Reed Brody, expert member of the Group.
“For the authorities, the ideal woman is a mother, obedient and silent. Those who challenged that mould – women defenders, journalists, Indigenous leaders, feminists – are portrayed as enemies of the people and persecuted as such. The equality that the Government proclaims ends where criticism begins.”
The Group urged the Government of Nicaragua to put an end to all forms of repression and persecution against real or perceived women opponents and their relatives, especially measures and practices that instrumentalize the gender, sexual orientation or gender identity of the victims.
