The dictatorship of Daniel Ortega, through the Ministry of the Interior of Nicaragua, revoked the legal status of 16 non-profit organizations (NGOs/NPOs), nine for non-compliance with laws and seven for «voluntary dissolution of members,» according to a communication this Tuesday, January 16, in the official gazette.
This new wave of cancellations, the second in the 16 days of the year, includes Catholic and Evangelical associations, as part of the ongoing repression against religion freedom deepening day by day by the dictatorship.
Ministerial Agreement 03-2024 establishes the cancellation of nine NGOs «for non-compliance with laws,» allegedly because they did not report their financial statements for periods ranging from one to 14 years in accordance with fiscal periods. The reports were expected to include detailed breakdowns of income and expenses, details of donations (origin, source, and ultimate beneficiary), and board of directors’ information. The associations are:
1 Association Pentecostal Mission Jehovah Will Provide.
2 Country Club of Estelí
3 Foundation Missionaries Consecrated to the Most Holy Savior
4 Association Apostolic Evangelistic and Prophetic Mission
5 Fortress Child Association
6 Association Missionaries of the Company of Mary
7 Foundation New Restoration Family Church
8 Foundation Dante Alighieri Society of Nicaragua
9 Association Transworld Missions of Nicaragua
Ministry of the Interior of Nicaragua delegates confiscation of assets
As is customary, the Ministry of the Interior delegated to the Attorney General’s Office the transfer of all assets, which critics argue amounts to confiscation.
Meanwhile, Ministerial Agreement 04-2024 establishes the agreement for «voluntary dissolution of members,» approving the cancellation of legal personality and registration for seven non-profit organizations:
1 Fraternity of Evangelical Life Association of Missionaries of the Cross
2 Association Group of Emotional Support Professionals
3 Association Ministry Marriages on the Rock
4 Foundation 21 Down Syndrome Nicaragua
5 Association Church the Tabernacle of David
6 Association Pentecostal Church The Redeemer
7 The Pulsera Project.
The voluntary dissolutions of NGOs, analysts have argued, signify that these organizations have been forced to shut down «voluntarily» to prevent Ortega’s dictatorship from seizing their assets, as seen in the case of the canceled entities.
Since 2018, over 3,500 NGOs have been canceled, according to the count by Nicaraguan organizations operating in exile. The cancellations began with nine NGOs in 2018 amid armed repression against civil protests. These initial NGOs that were canceled were represented by opponents and/or critics of Daniel Ortega’s regime.
In the current year of 2024, there have already been 20 organizations canceled.
