The Nicaraguan Association for Human Rights (ANPDH) says it has closed its offices in the Central American country after its staff received “alarming information” about threats to them.
The group has been denouncing alleged rights abuses by the Nicaraguan government during more than three months of anti-government protests. It says 448 people have been killed since the protests began on 18 April.
ANPDH said it had information about plans to persecute its staff. The group said its workers had received death threats over the phone. The NGO also said that it had learned of plans to accuse staff of fabricated crimes.
ANPDH said the closure of its Managua offices would be “temporary” in order to safeguard the safety of its workers, who had been harassed by armed groups. The group said it would continue to receive reports of human rights abuses via email and WhatsApp.
Human rights activists are not the only ones who have reported being harassed and threatened.
Dozens of doctors and health workers have been sacked. They say their dismissals came after they treated injured anti-government protesters.
Professors teaching at state-run universities have also reported receiving dismissal letters which they say were issued because of their criticism of the government.
Catholic clergy, who have been mediating in the crisis, have also come under attack from pro-government groups.
