Freedom House HRDs settle into a safe environment, how they support their families left behind; if they receive training involving extra security precautions, networking, and career development; if they receive medical and psychosocial attention; and if they are able to find sustainable employment to continue their human rights work throughout the time, they are unable to return to their home countries. Of that population, 60% are men and 40% are women, with the majority being between 20-35 years old with some technical training or university. Interviews took place with the following: • Members of the Costa Rican government: General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners, Ministry of Foreign Relations (Areas of Human Rights and External Cooperation), Public Security, National Institute for Women (INAMU), Mixed Institute of Social Assistance (IMAS) Focus groups included the following: • Experienced HRDs • Female HRDs in exile • LGTBIQ+ HRDs • Youth activists in San José Metropolitan Area • Youth activists in the north of Costa Rica • Campesinos (Land defenders) Each focus group was made up of 5-7 people. The sessions were guided by a list of questions and discussion of themes. All focus group participants were asked for their consent to be recorded and have the information discussed utilized in the report. Measures were taken in the writing of this report to preserve the identity and confidentiality of the sources. • International aid groups (NGOs): Ayuda en Acción, Hivos, RET, IRI, Pan Para el Mundo The Freedom House Team members who produced the case study included expert and specialist Ana Quiros Víquez; Gerardo Berthin, Freedom House Director for Latin America and Caribbean Programs; Alessandra Pinna, Freedom House Deputy Director for Latin America and Caribbean Programs; Caitlin Watson, Senior Program Officer; and Olivia Magnanini, Freedom House Research/Program Associate. • Municipalities leaders/mayors: San José, Desamparados, San Carlos, Los Chiles o Upala, La Cruz Findings in Brief • International aid groups (government): USAID, Embassies of Holland and Switzerland, the European Union • UN Agencies: UNDP, UNHCR, IOM • Migrant and refugee aid services: Jesuit Migration Services, SOS Human Rights, Ticos y Nicas somos hermanos (Costa Ricans and Nicaraguans friendship organization) CENDEROS, Fundación Mujer, CEJIL, Centro de Derechos Laborales sin Fronteras (Center for Labor Rights without borders) • Organizations of Nicaraguans in Costa Rica: UNE, UNAB Costa Rica, Movimiento Campesino, MESART – CR, Nicaragua Nunca Más, otros • Migration research organizations: FLACSO, UCR, UNA • Organizations for HRDs: CENDIH, Iniciativa de Defensoras de Derechos Humanos en Nicaragua, Consejo Permanente de Derechos Humanos (CPDH) All participants were asked for consent before agreeing to the interview, as well as for consent to be recorded and have their information utilized in the report anonymously. This case study focused on the most current wave of migration of HRDs and CSOs who were forced to flee after anti-government protests in April 2018, which despite a consistent flow of migration between the two countries in the past, represents the most significant movement in decades. Since the initial protests, the government’s reaction has been fierce and has further restricted opposition voices from speaking out or defending human rights that continue to be in peril at the hands of the Ortega-Murillo administration. The Nicaraguan government continues to violate freedoms of expression, assembly and information and thwart the work of HRDs, including journalists and CSOs. Ortega-Murillo’s recent actions against potential presidential candidates and opposition figures demonstrate that the country will continue to see an outpouring of critics, activists, and HRDs to Costa Rica, among other countries. Nicaraguans continue to flee based on the attacks and harassment they face as HRDs and members of CSOs that champion democracy and human rights. Of those 20 Nicaraguan HRDs who were surveyed, FreedomHouse.org 3