I. Introduction: Liberty Under Siege 
In Nicaragua, the Ortega-Murillo regime has systematically eroded civil liberties, leaving citizens with little space for freedom of expression, assembly, or association. What remains is a society governed by fear, where even the most basic rights are heavily restricted. As repression deepens, many Nicaraguans see migration as the only way to reclaim their dignity and exercise the freedoms denied to them at home. The exodus reflects both political suffocation and the yearning for liberty. 

II. The Dismantling of Democratic Institutions 
Civil liberties in Nicaragua have declined in tandem with the dismantling of democratic institutions. Independent branches of government have been neutralised, with the judiciary, legislature, and electoral authorities now under executive control. This monopolisation of power ensures that civil rights are interpreted through the lens of loyalty to the regime rather than as universal guarantees. 

III. Suppression of Freedom of Speech 
Freedom of speech has been one of the most heavily targeted liberties. Independent journalists are harassed, imprisoned, or forced into exile, while citizens who criticise the government face prosecution under vague laws against ‘false news’ or ‘undermining national sovereignty.’ Social media posts are monitored, and even private conversations can result in punishment. This climate of fear has silenced open debate, leaving public discourse dominated by state propaganda. 

IV. Restrictions on Freedom of Assembly 
Peaceful protest in Nicaragua has been effectively outlawed. Demonstrations, once a vital channel for civic participation, are met with police violence, mass arrests, and surveillance of organisers. The violent crackdown on protests in 2018 demonstrated the regime’s determination to crush public mobilisation, resulting in hundreds of deaths and widespread fear. Today, any attempt at collective action is quickly dismantled, leaving citizens with no safe way to voice dissent. 

V. Criminalisation of Civil Society 
Civil society organisations, including human rights groups, women’s collectives, and environmental associations, have been systematically dismantled. Thousands of NGOs have lost their legal status, their offices raided, and their assets confiscated. The government frames these organisations as foreign agents or threats to national security, criminalising their work and erasing their role in public life. 

VI. Attacks on Religious Freedom 
Religious leaders who speak out against injustice also face restrictions. The Catholic Church, in particular, has come under attack, with clergy harassed, detained, or expelled. Church-run schools and charities are closely monitored, and humanitarian efforts curtailed. These restrictions further diminish spaces for moral and spiritual resistance. 

VII. Arbitrary Detentions and Intimidation 
Arbitrary detention has become a common tactic to intimidate critics. Activists, journalists, students, and even ordinary citizens are detained without due process, often on fabricated charges. Detention conditions are harsh, and prisoners are frequently subjected to psychological abuse, reinforcing the sense of fear across society. 

VIII. Surveillance and Control of Daily Life 
Beyond public restrictions, surveillance has penetrated daily life in Nicaragua. State security monitors communities, infiltrates opposition groups, and pressures citizens to inform on neighbours. This omnipresent control ensures that even private spaces are no longer free, erasing boundaries between the individual and the state. 

IX. The Impact on Youth and Future Generations 
Young Nicaraguans have been especially affected by restrictions on civil liberties. Universities are heavily monitored, with student leaders expelled or imprisoned for activism. Many young people see no future under the regime, leading to a surge in youth migration. The departure of skilled and educated citizens further weakens Nicaragua’s prospects for reform and development. 

X. Migration as a Path to Freedom 
For many, migration is not only about escaping poverty but about reclaiming basic freedoms. Exiles describe the ability to speak openly, protest, and organise abroad as a liberation after years of fear. Diaspora communities in Costa Rica, the United States, and Spain have become vital platforms for advocacy, amplifying voices silenced at home. 

XI. International Condemnation 
International organisations have consistently condemned Nicaragua’s restrictions on civil liberties. Reports from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights document widespread violations, urging reforms and accountability. Despite sanctions and global pressure, the Ortega-Murillo regime remains defiant, dismissing criticism as foreign interference. 

XII. Conclusion: Exile as the Price of Liberty 
Nicaragua’s systematic restrictions on civil liberties have transformed the country into a place where freedom itself is criminalised. For countless citizens, migration has become the only way to live with dignity, safety, and independence. Until civil rights are restored and authoritarian controls dismantled, Nicaragua will remain a nation where liberty is found not at home, but abroad.