International
The UN denounces a serious repressive climate in Nicaragua, with arbitrary arrests and expulsions
The political situation in Nicaragua “continues to deteriorate” and “a serious repressive climate” reigns in the country, the UN Office for Human Rights said on Monday, recalling that since February 2023 at least 546 Nicaraguans have been stripped of their nationality and currently 76 people are still arbitrarily detained.
In addition, in recent months, the authorities have promoted reforms “aimed at concentrating more power in the Presidency and criminalizing dissident voices,” stressed the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif, in an update on the situation in the country presented at an intersession meeting of the Human Rights Council.
Of the 546 Nicaraguans who have been deprived of their nationality and expelled, 135 of them in September, Al-Nashif recalled that “they have been in precarious conditions abroad” and many are stateless, their assets being confiscated.
Others are not able to establish their Nicaraguan nationality since the Government refuses to renew their passports or send documentation when they are abroad, “erasing their legal identity and preventing connections with their homeland,” stressed the “number two” of the UN human rights office.
Arbitrary arrests
Regarding arbitrary arrests, Al-Nashif stressed that political opponents, religious and indigenous leaders and human rights defenders continue to be victims of this abusive instrument.
“In the last days of November, at least 30 people were arbitrarily detained, including three children,” said the deputy high commissioner.
He added that the UN Human Rights Office has received information that “reveals a consistent pattern of due process violations, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, terrible detention conditions and physical and psychological torture, including sleep deprivation and denial of medical care.”
Al-Nashif mentioned some individual cases of abuse victims such as Angélica Chavarría, whereabouts since May 2024 and partner of retired General Humberto Ortega, who died in September when he was deprived of liberty.
He also cited the case of indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera and former presidential adselor on indigenous affairs Steadman Fagoth, who also disappeared.
“We urge the immediate release of all persons arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, including those detained for exercising their rights to free expression and assembly,” stressed Al-Nashif, who also called for an end to enforced disappearances and cases of torture and mistreatment.
Worrying reforms
Regarding the legal reforms that concern the office, Al-Nashif cited those that recently expanded the powers of the State to prosecute even alleged crimes committed outside Nicaragua.
These types of laws, which include activities on social networks, which according to the authorities could “induce panic” or threaten “social stability,” pave the way “to more political persecution and erosion of fundamental rights,” he stressed.
Al-Nashif also mentioned the constitutional reforms in the process of parliamentary review and that, if they come into force, “will further erode the rule of law” with “ambiguous texts to restrict freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.”
The human rights crisis in Nicaragua “is deepening,” concluded Al-Nashif, who stressed that “it is in the interest of the Government and the Nicaraguan people to return to a democratic path and maintain a constructive dialogue to that end.”
International
Climate-driven rains trigger one of Indonesia’s deadliest flood emergencies in years
A torrential monsoon season, compounded by two unusual tropical cyclones, has triggered intense rainfall in several regions since last week, including southern Thailand, northern Malaysia, and large parts of Indonesia.
Climate change has recently intensified rainfall patterns, as a warmer atmosphere is able to hold more moisture. In Indonesia, desperation is growing among those affected by the disaster due to the slow pace of rescue operations and the distribution of humanitarian aid.
Relief agencies warned that the scale of the emergency is nearly unprecedented, even for a country accustomed to frequent natural disasters.
Across the island of Sumatra, the death toll was revised downward to 770 fatalities and at least 463 people still missing as of Wednesday night. Earlier, the national disaster management agency had reported 804 deaths.
Gathering accurate information on the ground remains difficult, as many regions are still cut off due to flood damage, widespread power outages, communication failures, or a combination of all three.
International
Russian authorities ban Roblox citing child safety and moral concerns
Russia has blocked access to the U.S.-owned game creation platform Roblox, accusing it of distributing extremist materials and what authorities described as “LGBT propaganda,” state media reported on Wednesday.
The country has repeatedly threatened to ban certain foreign digital platforms, a move that human rights organizations view as part of broader efforts by authorities to tighten control over internet use.
In a statement released through Russian news agencies, the federal communications watchdog Roskomnadzor accused Roblox of hosting “inappropriate content that can negatively affect the spiritual and moral development of children.”
“The game exposes minors to sexual harassment, tricks them into sharing intimate photos, and encourages them to commit acts of depravity and violence,” the regulator claimed.
Last week, the same agency also threatened to ban WhatsApp, the country’s second most widely used messaging app, accusing it of failing to prevent criminal activity.
Roblox, which is owned by the U.S.-based Roblox Corporation, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to company data for 2024, the platform has around 100 million daily users worldwide, nearly 40% of whom are under the age of 13.
Other countries, including Qatar, Iraq and Turkey, have also restricted or banned Roblox, mainly over concerns about the safety of underage users. In the United States, the states of Texas and Louisiana have filed lawsuits against the platform on similar grounds.
International
El Chapo’s son Joaquín Guzmán López pleads guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges
Joaquín Guzmán López, one of the sons of notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, pleaded guilty on Monday to drug trafficking charges in a U.S. court, months after his brother Ovidio reached a similar plea agreement, according to local media reports.
The defendant appeared before a federal court in Chicago early Monday afternoon and changed his previous plea in the case, the Chicago Tribune reported. U.S. authorities accuse him of forming, together with his three brothers, the cartel faction known as “Los Chapitos.”
The group is believed to have continued the operations of El Chapo, who has been serving a life sentence in the United States since 2019.
Guzmán López, 39, was arrested after landing in Texas in a small aircraft alongside cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada.
Juan Orlando Hernández’s family takes time to decide next steps after surprise U.S. release
Climate-driven rains trigger one of Indonesia’s deadliest flood emergencies in years
Russian authorities ban Roblox citing child safety and moral concerns
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
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