On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our Nicaragua LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For Nicaragua country of origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents visit our Nicaragua COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Nicaragua.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which Nicaragua is signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
Since 1980 Nicaragua has been both a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and to its 1967 Protocol. It has also accepted the UN Statelessness Conventions.
According to the regional standards, Nicaragua adopts the refugee definition as per the Cartagena Declaration.
Nicaragua’s national refugee protection is based on its Ley de Protección a Refugiados (Ley N. 655 de 26 de Julio de 2008), which is seen as a model in Central and Latin America, being in line with international standards. It recognises the extended refugee definition contained in the 1984 Cartagena Declaration on Refugees and stipulates the principles of non-discrimination (article 2), confidentiality (article 19), family unity (article 3), non-refoulement and non-expulsion (Articles 8 and 9) and non-penalization for irregular entry (article 10). The law also provides for the issuance of identity documents to both asylum-seekers and refugees (articles 23 and article 29), the right to have legal representation (article 20) and provides access to work for asylum-seekers (article 23).
Also, in Nicaragua, the government is responsible for the refugee status determination procedure, which is handled by the Comisión Nacional para Refugiados. Asylum claims can me made before the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería. Please see their details below.
Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería
De los semáforos de la Tenderi 2 1/2 cuadras al norte, Managua
Tel. (+505) 249 6670 / 244 0741 / 244 3989 / 244 2111
Legal aid organisations
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Tel: 22 22 563 or 26 68 940 or 26 82 116 or 26 66 265
Email: cenidh@cenidh.org
CENIDH was created in May 1990 as a civil Society initiative, with concerns over the promotion of Human Rights in Nicaragua. As a member of the National Comission of Refugee Aid (CONAR), created in 2008 through the Refugee Protecion Act, they investigate complaints to promote and defend human rights in various municipalities. In those cases that a person is claiming refugee status, they accompany them and follow up their case in coordination with UNHCR. They also support members of the LGBTI community.
Organisations providing other support to refugees
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Address: Apartado 3091, Managua, Nicaragua
Tel: 01 15 05 26 65 216 (Central Office, Spanish speaking) or 01 15 05 27 05 018 (Nehemiah office, English + Spanish speaking)
Email: direccion.ejecutiva@cepad.org.ni
CEPAD works with refugee and facilitates strengthening the capacity and self-advocacy of thirty-three organised communities, 206 Peace Commissions, and 120 pastoral groups throughout Nicaragua, using social promotion and community organization. It works less-intensively with forty-five additional communities.
CEPAD believes that it is important for community members to resolve their own problems and to decide for themselves what they need. If a community requires assistance, however, CEPAD enters that community once invited by the local leadership. CEPAD then establishes and trains a Community Development Committee (CDC) made up of community members. Once trained, CDC members work to help their community move forward by exploring other organisations and resources, including state authorities and municipal governments. Equal participation of men and women is encouraged. CEPAD’s training process helps female and male community leaders learn to share decision-making processes and also helps them to have equal access to use and control of the benefits from development initiatives.
CEPAD’s programs include environmental management and development, comprehensive family development, political advocacy education, theological education by extension, educating for life, Nehemiah (delegations, partnerships and services for conferences), and Radio CEPAD.
Nicaragua LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in Nicaragua.
Nicaragua COI
Find Nicaragua Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated June 2023