The Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, established by the United Nations, denounced a new offensive against the practice of law in the Central American country, after numerous lawyers were removed from the official registry of professionals without receiving an explanation or prior notification.
Experts pointed out that there are “reasonable grounds to consider that the Nicaraguan government is systematically depriving numerous lawyers of their licenses to practice the profession,” as stated by the group’s president, Jan-Michael Simon.
The complaint arises after legal professionals reported that their names stopped appearing in the registry of the Supreme Court of Justice of Nicaragua. According to the testimonies collected by the group, nearly 2,000 lawyers have allegedly been excluded in a matter of days.
Those affected indicated that the loss of their credentials was not accompanied by official communications, administrative processes, or resolutions explaining the reasons for the measure. Many discovered the situation when they tried to enter courts, file legal documents, or consult their data on the digital platform of the highest judicial body.
“Evidence has been accumulated that corroborates reasonable grounds to consider that the Nicaraguan government is systematically depriving numerous lawyers of their licenses to practice the profession,” stated Simon.
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The UN denounced a “purge” of lawyers in Nicaragua and warned about the deterioration of judicial independence (EFE)
The group of experts warned that the mass removal of lawyers represents a new phase within the intervention into the country’s judicial institutions.
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“We have repeatedly condemned the Nicaraguan government’s interference in the Judiciary, but eliminating a significant part of the legal profession constitutes a new escalation,” added the organization’s president.
Specialists recalled that restrictions against lawyers did not begin with this measure. According to their records, since 2023, Nicaraguan authorities had already permanently suspended some professionals and had prevented the renewal of mandatory notarial authorizations to continue performing certain functions.
The UN linked this situation to a series of changes applied to the judicial system since October 2023, when the National Police assumed control of the Supreme Court of Justice and the departures of high-ranking officials occurred. The group indicated that eight magistrates left their positions, while more than 1,000 judicial employees were dismissed.
Experts also pointed out that the constitutional reforms approved in 2025 modified the role of the Judiciary, which ceased to be considered an independent branch of the State and came to be defined as an “organ” coordinated by the Presidency.
In that context, Reed Brody, a member of the group of experts, described the situation as a “silent purge” of the legal profession and maintained that it affects the ability of citizens to access a legal defense.
Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega addresses his supporters while his wife, Rosario Murillo, applauds him, in Managua, Nicaragua, on August 29, 2018.
“International standards are unequivocal: no one may be deprived of the practice of law without an impartial hearing before an independent body,” Brody stated. “In this case, there was no hearing, no independent body; just a delete key.”
The international organization indicated that among the affected people are lawyers in exile, former judicial officials, former members of the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front party, and professionals with no known political affiliation.
Ariela Peralta, also a member of the group, pointed out that Nicaraguan lawyers have faced pressure since the anti-government protests of 2018, including threats, harassment, detentions, and displacement outside the country.
Experts warned that preventing lawyers and notaries from appearing in official registries can have direct consequences on access to justice, by limiting the possibility for citizens to have legal representation before the courts.
