United Nations human rights authorities have issued a stern call to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's administration, demanding clarity on the status and whereabouts of more than 120 individuals reportedly disappeared following the 2018 anti-government protests. The experts, in a strong rebuke, also insisted that the Nicaraguan government cease the practices of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance as instruments of political oppression.

A recent press release from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights highlights the despair and frustration of families who, in their search for answers, have encountered only silence, misinformation, or intimidation. The document reveals a disturbing pattern of detainees being held incommunicado, with no access to legal representation, medical care, or family contact, which the experts describe as a deliberate tactic to sow fear and maintain control.

Further underscoring the gravity of the situation, the experts pointed out that such disappearances, often accompanied by torture or death, are a direct violation of international law, representing a calculated effort to stifle dissent, undermine legal protections, and instill widespread fear. These actions, they argue, are part of a broader strategy by the state to quash opposition.

The appeal is set against a backdrop of broader findings by the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, which have detailed an intensifying climate of repression. Their reports describe not only local abuses but also transnational harassment, including the targeting of exiles, the denial of passports, asset seizures, and stripping of nationality—actions tied directly to senior officials, as identified in their 2025 report.

Despite repeated calls for cooperation since 2018, the Nicaraguan government has remained largely unresponsive. The UN experts have reiterated their demands for the government to engage with UN mechanisms, provide clear and immediate information to affected families, release those detained without legal basis, and initiate independent investigations into these and other alleged human rights violations.

International observers have indicated that these renewed calls could heighten pressure on Nicaragua to open up to greater scrutiny and accountability, especially as it faces increased examination from regional and international human rights bodies. The response from President Ortega's government, however, remains to be seen. This latest plea from the UN adds another layer of urgency to a persistent and severe human rights crisis in the country.