IACHR Urges Democratic Charter Activation Amid Nicaragua's Authoritarian Shift

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has strongly condemned recent declarations by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, who announced that elections would cease to be held in the country. The commission has called upon member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) to employ available mechanisms, particularly the Inter-American Democratic Charter, to reinstate institutional order in Nicaragua.

In its statement, the IACHR reiterated its appeal to OAS member states to utilize the instruments at their disposal, in accordance with the OAS Charter and the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The goal is to contribute to the restoration of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and the full respect for human rights in Nicaragua, upholding the principle of collective security within the inter-American system.

“

We reiterate the call to the member states of the OAS to use, in accordance with the Charter of the OAS, the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the relevant instruments, the available mechanisms to contribute to the restoration of democratic institutions, the rule of law and the full respect for human rights in Nicaragua, in accordance with the principle of collective guarantee of the inter-American system.

Beyond repudiating Ortega's remarks, the IACHR also denounced a proposed constitutional reform presented by the National Assembly, which is subordinate to the presidency. This initiative seeks to perpetuate the current leadership's hold on power, limit political competition, and eliminate the necessary conditions for democratic alternation. The reform notably proposes extending the copresidency term from six to seven years, making it renewable, and enshrines restrictions against individuals deemed "coup plotters" or "traitors to the homeland" by the regime.

The IACHR warned that these measures, including the extended terms and the threat to eliminate free and competitive elections, deepen the process of authoritarian consolidation. It recalled its previous report highlighting that a 2025 constitutional reform had already consolidated a regime incompatible with representative democracy by abolishing the separation of powers and concentrating authority in the copresidency of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. The commission asserts that these actions contravene Article 23 of the American Convention on Human Rights and the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

“

All these measures are incompatible with Article 23 of the American Convention on Human Rights and with the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.