between April 18 and May 30, 2018, confirming the IACHR findings.3 In its 2018 Annual Report, the IACHR included Nicaragua in Chapter IV.B in accordance with the grounds set forth in its Rules of Procedure.4 5. During 2019, the Commission continued to condemn the ongoing acts of persecution, and urged the State to comply with its obligations in matters related to human rights 5 . Subsequently, the Commission once again included Nicaragua in Chapter IV.B of its 2019 Annual Report6, noting that the serious human rights crisis in the country extended during 2019, due to the de facto installation of a state of emergency characterized by the abusive exercise of public force to repress any dissenting voices against the Government; the search, closure, and censorship of media outlets; the imprisonment or exile of journalists and social leaders; the closure of civil society organizations without guarantees of due process, as well as the interference and control of the executive branch over other public powers. The Commission also observed that the prolonged weakening of democratic institutions in Nicaragua has perpetuated the human rights crisis in the country and has led to structural impunity for serious human rights violations.7 7. During 2020, the IACHR verified the intensification of acts of surveillance, harassment, and selective repression against persons considered to be opponents of the Government.8 In May 2020, the IACHR condemned the non-compliance with its recommendations and urged the State to implement them.9 In October 2020, the IACHR again called on the State to immediately cease persecution of persons identified as dissidents and to reestablish democratic guarantees in Nicaragua.10 Subsequently, the Commission once again included Nicaragua in Chapter IV.B of its 2020 Annual Report11. 8. In 2021, the Commission condemned the increasing acts of harassment in Nicaragua. These acts were against persons identified as government opponents, human rights defenders, and the independent press. They12 also condemned the widespread impunity and the prolonged breakdown of the rule of law that persists in Nicaragua. 13 On June 9, 2021, the IACHR and the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Central America and Dominican Republic (OHCHR) condemned the criminal prosecution of Nicaraguan opposition leaders and urged the State to release all the persons detained 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 IACHR. Press Release No. 135/18. IACHR Launches Special Monitoring Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI). June 24, 2018; IACHR. Press Release No. 274/18. Press Release about Nicaragua. December 19, 2018. See also: IACHR. Press Release No. 113/20. Two Years After Visit to Nicaragua, IACHR Condemns Lack of Compliance with its Recommendations and Calls on the State to Urgently Implement Them. May 16, 2020. IACHR. Annual Report 2018. Chapter IV.B Nicaragua. See in this regard: IACHR. Press Release No. 6/19. IACHR denounces the weakening of the rule of law in the face of serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity in Nicaragua. January 10, 2019; IACHR. Press Release No. 26/19. IACHR Condemns Increasing Attacks on the Press and Ongoing Human Rights Violations in Nicaragua. February 6, 2019; IACHR. Press Release No. 90/19. IACHR Condemns Continuing Acts of Repression in Nicaragua during Negotiating Table Talks. April 5, 2019. IACHR. 2019 Annual Report. Chapter IV.B Nicaragua. OAS/Ser.L/V/II. Doc. 5, February 24, 2020, paras. 5 and 6. IACHR. 2019 Annual Report. Chapter IV.B Nicaragua. OAS/Ser.L/V/II. Doc. 5. February 24, 2020, para. 19. IACHR. Press Release No. 80/20. Two Years into Nicaragua’s Human Rights Crisis, the IACHR Stresses its Permanent Commitment to Victims and Confirms the Consolidation of a Fifth Phase of Repression. April 18, 2020. IACHR. Press Release No. 113/20. Two Years After Visit to Nicaragua, IACHR Condemns Lack of Compliance with its Recommendations and Calls on the State to Urgently Implement Them. May 16, 2020. IACHR. Press Release No. 249/20. IACHR Calls for Persecution of People Identified as Dissidents to End and for Democratic Guarantees to be Reestablished in Nicaragua. October 10, 2020. IACHR. Annual Report 2020. Chapter IV.B Nicaragua, February 2021, paras. 5 to 29. IACHR. Press Release No. 152/21. IACHR Condemns the Serious Escalation of Repression in Nicaragua. June 18, 2021. IACHR. Press Release No. 93/21. Three Years After the Start of the Human Rights Crisis in Nicaragua, IACHR Condemns Ongoing Impunity. April 19, 2021. 2