A/HRC/42/18 Nicaragua, the Government stated that no journalist had been imprisoned for exercising the right to freedom of expression. 19. According to non-governmental sources, as of 8 July 2019, about 100 journalists (70 men and 30 women) had fled Nicaragua. The World Press Freedom Index reported that Nicaragua had lost 24 rankings in 2019 compared with 2018.20 Between 19 August 2018 and 30 June 2019, a civil society organization registered 237 acts of repression by the police and pro-Government elements against media workers and journalists (173 targeting men and 64 directed at women), including threats, insults, physical attacks, detentions, searches of premises, seizure of material and closure of media outlets. 21 In June 2019, Canada and the United States of America imposed sanctions against the Director General of the Institute for Telecommunications and Mail for silencing news media. 22 Freedom of association and targeted repression of dissenting voices 20. The Government has taken de facto and de jure measures affecting the right to freedom of association. In November and December 2018, the National Assembly cancelled the legal registration of nine prominent civil society organizations, 23 stating that they had conducted activities contrary to the purposes for which they were created and had supported “terrorist actions” during the 2018 protests The closure of these organizations was preceded or followed by night searches by police without judicial warrants, seizure of assets, harassment and beating of staff. The director of one of these organizations was arrested and deported to Costa Rica. 24 OHCHR was informed that the authorities had authorized pro-Government elements to occupy the facilities of one organization subjected to seizure of assets. The Government informed OHCHR that six of the nine organizations had challenged the decision of the National Assembly before the Supreme Court of Justice. The proceedings were still under way at the time of writing. 21. Civil society groups created after the sociopolitical crisis began were also targeted by attacks and intimidation, 25 including the Blue and White National Unity, 26 the Civic Alliance, the Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners, the 19 April Student Movement and Union of Political Prisoners of Nicaragua. Women human rights defenders were also targeted. An organization indicated to OHCHR that, from 19 August 2018 to June 2019, 299 women human rights defenders suffered attacks such as intimidation, psychological harassment, smear campaigns, unlawful detention and torture and illtreatment, including sexual violence. According to the organization, 67 women human rights defenders had been forced into exile by July 2019. By April 2019, at least 15 men and eight women, including members of prominent organizations (including the Nicaraguan Centre for Human Rights and the Permanent Commission for Human Rights) who have been regularly sharing information with OHCHR, suffered harassment, attacks on their life and personal integrity and constant surveillance of their homes. These acts could be considered as reprisals. In addition, the Nicaraguan Medical Unit estimated that more than 200 doctors and health workers, out of a total of 405 cases registered since the outset of the 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 6 See https://rsf.org/en/nicaragua. In addition, 113 acts of repression against media outlets were reported. Violeta B. Chamorro Foundation, “Un año de crisis socio-política: tiempo de hostilidad y represión contra la prensa independiente”, April 2019. See www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relationsrelations_internationales/sanctions/nicaragua.aspx?lang=eng and https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm715. Law 147 on non-profit organizations does not offer due process guarantees to organizations sanctioned with the cancellation of their legal status. The person has dual Nicaraguan and Costa Rican nationality. For instance, the police raided a property that belonged to the son of one of the negotiators of the Civic Alliance and publicly announced that they had seized firearms, allegedly used during 2018 protests. Civic Alliance, press release, 28 May 2019, available at www.alianzacivicanicaragua.com/asedio-e-intimidacion-no-nos-detendran/ . A united front opposed to the Government, representing different civil society sectors, established in October 2018.