# Sovereignty law created broad grounds to bar political candidacies

Date: 2020

The [National Assembly](/organizations/national-assembly) adopted the Law for the Defence of the Rights of the People to Independence, Sovereignty and Self-determination for Peace. Human Rights Watch documented that its broad definition of conduct associated with "traitors" could bar individuals from running for or holding public office. The statute later became part of the legal framework used in investigations of opposition figures before the 2021 election. [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/22/nicaragua-law-threatens-free-fair-elections?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

## Drivers

- Ortega–Murillo family autocracy: https://factrail.ai/drivers/ortega-family-autocracy

## Sources

- https://www.oas.org/en/IACHR/jsForm/?File=%2Fen%2Fiachr%2Fmedia_center%2FPReleases%2F2021%2F145.asp
- https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/22/nicaragua-law-threatens-free-fair-elections

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/facts/sovereignty-traitors-law-december-2020