NICARAGUA: A 50-page report about the persecution of Christians in Nicaragua

A report by European Center for Law & Justice

 

ECLJ (07.01.2025) – Since 2018, Nicaragua, under President Daniel Ortega, has been conducting a systematic campaign of repression against Christians, particularly Catholics, in retaliation for their peaceful opposition to the regime.

These actions include: physical attacks, arbitrary arrests, bans on religious demonstrations, the closure of churches, the confiscation of religious property, and the expulsion of clergy. More than 870 attacks against the Catholic Church have been recorded, while evangelical churches, initially spared, are now also being targeted.

This repression aims to silence critics of the regime and eradicate the spiritual influence of Christian churches in favour of a political ideology centred on the cult of the Sandinista regime.

According to UN human rights experts, some of these repressive actions can be classified as crimes against humanity. Such actions comprise: murder, torture, prolonged arbitrary detention in inhumane conditions, as well as deportations of members of the clergy and critical religious leaders. These crimes, characterized by their systematic nature and targeting of specific religious groups, aim to destroy any form of moral or social opposition to the regime.

Among the most emblematic cases is that of Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, who was subjected to inhumane imprisonment and later stripped of his nationality. At the same time, the international community has condemned these actions, but the responses remain largely symbolic and insufficient to counter the regime’s impunity.

Although targeted sanctions have been imposed by the United States and the European Union, their impact remains limited, and the Ortega government continues to strengthen its strategic alliances with authoritarian powers such as Russia and China.

These alliances allow the regime to circumvent international pressure while consolidating its internal repression. In the face of these challenges, Nicaraguan Christians continue to resist, embodying one of the last critical voices in a country where civic space is now virtually closed.

Persecution is not limited to physical or institutional attacks: it also aims to erase spiritual traditions by banning religious processions and celebrations that are integral to local culture.

In this context, the urgency of mobilizing international efforts to support persecuted Christian communities is more crucial than ever. This includes increased protection for exiles and human rights defenders, as well as support for the reconstruction of destroyed religious and civic institutions.

Table of Content

I THE HISTORICAL ROLE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN NICARAGUA

The Catholic Church: Between Support and Opposition to Sandinismo

The Catholic Church: The Last Critical Voice of Ortega’s Regime

II THE VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHTS OF CHRISTIANS

Physical Attacks, Harassment and Threats

Incitement to Discrimination, Hostility and Violence Against the Church

Arbitrary Detention of Clergy Members

Violation of the Freedom of Conscience and Religion

Violation of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression

Violation of the Right to Freedom of Assembly and Association

Imprisonment and Expulsion of Clergy Members

Denial of Nationality

Entry Bans to Nicaragua

Confiscation of Church Property

Christians in Nicaragua as Victims of Crimes Against Humanity, According to UN Experts

III WEAKENING OF THE RULE OF LAW AND CONCENTRATION OF POWERS

IV THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY’S INSUFFICIENT RESPONSES

Nicaragua on U.S. State Department’s List of Countries of Particular Concerns

UN Condemnations Without Coercive Sanctions

The International Alliances Protecting Nicaragua

The Issue of Relations with Russia

Nicaragua Breaks Ties with Taiwan to Strengthen Relations with China

V RECOMMENDATIONS

VI THE LAW APPLICABLE TO THE CRIMES OF ORTEGA’S REGIME

The Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion

The Right to Freedom of Expression and Opinion

The Right to Freedom of Assembly and Association

The Right to Liberty and Security

The Right to Nationality

The Right to Freedom of Freedom and Residence

The Right to Property

Further reading about FORB in Nicaragua on HRWF website