in the context of the crisis. 14 On September 10, 2021, the Commission and the OHCHR condemned the criminalization of individuals identified as political opponents in Nicaragua.15 10. On October 25, 2021, the IACHR published the report “Concentration of Power and the Undermining of the Rule of Law in Nicaragua.” In this regard, the Commission identified acts of harassment, threats, raids, arbitrary detentions, and mistreatment against any person considered to be an opponent of the current Government, perpetrated by police and vigilante groups.16 On November 20, 2021, the IACHR made a statement in which it looked unfavorably upon the State of Nicaragua’s decision to denounce the Charter of the Organization of American States on November 19, 2021 during the ongoing context of serious crisis in the country in recent years. On the occasion, the Commission reaffirmed its jurisdiction over Nicaragua and stated that it would continue to exercise its monitoring mandates through the Special Monitoring Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI), as well as continue to analyze and process cases, petitions, and precautionary measures.17 The IACHR once again included Nicaragua in Chapter IV.B of its 2021 Annual Report, when it referred to the severe deterioration of democratic institutions in Nicaragua in the context of the 2021 general elections.18 11. In 2022, the IACHR urged the State of Nicaragua to release the individuals who allegedly continue in arbitrary detention and under unsanitary detention conditions. They reportedly suffer illtreatment and are subject to the arbitrary application of maximum-security regimes, in addition to the lack of adequate, timely, and specialized medical care. In February 2022, the IACHR condemned the manipulation of criminal law and criminalization of persons identified as opponents due to the lack of judicial independence and separation of powers. These acts have seriously affected the judicial guarantees for political prisoners in Nicaragua.19 On August 19, 2022, the IACHR condemned the escalation of repression against members of the Catholic Church due to their critical role in denouncing human rights violations. 20 In September 2022, the IACHR and its SRESCER urged the immediate release of the political prisoners who are held in deplorable conditions in Nicaragua.21 The rapporteurs of the UN and IACHR urged the State to restore and make effective the full enjoyment of civil and political rights in the face of the closure and governmental co-optation of civic spaces and democratic participation in Nicaragua.22 On November 4, 2022, the IACHR alerted of the lack of conditions to hold free and fair elections in the country, taking into account the resurgence of repression and percussion against political opponents through the implementation of measures aimed at preventing their participation in these elections.23 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 IACHR. Press Release No. 145/21. IACHR and OHCHR Categorically Condemn Criminal Prosecution of Presidential Precandidates and Urge State of Nicaragua to Release Them Immediately. June 9, 2021; IACHR. Press Release No. 171/21. Nicaragua: IACHR and OHCHR Demand an End to Arbitrary Arrests and the Release of All Individuals Detained Since the Start of the Crisis in Nicaragua. July 9, 2021. IACHR. Press Release No. 238/21. IACHR, OHCHR Condemn Criminalization, Harsh Conditions of Detention, and Failure to Enforce Due Process for Individuals Who are Perceived to Be Government Critics in Nicaragua. September 10, 2021. IACHR. Press Release 284/2021. IACHR Publishes Report on the Concentration of Power and the Weakening of the Rule of Law in Nicaragua. October 28, 2021. IACHR. Press Release 312/2021. The IACHR Stresses Its Competent Jurisdiction Concerning Nicaragua and laments Nicaragua’s Decision to Denounce the Charter of the OAS in a Context of Serious Human Rights Violations. IACHR. 2021 Annual Report. Chapter IV.B Nicaragua, May 2022, paras. 4 to 21. IACHR Press Release RD026/22. REDESCA condemns the cancellation of the status of 26 universities and associations for academic and social purposes by the National Assembly of Nicaragua. February 10, 2022. IACHR. Press Release No. 184/22. IACHR Condemns Repression and Arrests of Members of the Roman Catholic Church in Nicaragua. August 19, 2022. IACHR. Press Release No. 197/2022. IACHR and Its SRESCER Call for Immediate Release of Political Prisoners Being Held in Appalling Conditions in Nicaragua. September 5, 2022. IACHR. Press Release R218/22. In light of serious allegations regarding the closure of civic spaces in Nicaragua, UN and IACHR Special Rapporteurs urge authorities to comply with their international obligations to respect and guarantee fundamental freedoms. September 28, 2022. IACHR. Press Release No. 248/22. IACHR Warns of the Lack of Appropriate Conditions for Holding Free, Fair Municipal Elections in Nicaragua. November 4, 2022. 3