CASE STUDY: EXILED NICARAGUAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN COSTA RICA In addition to the acts of political repression and human rights violations by the Ortega-Murillo regime, Nicaragua has borne the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic and its government’s unorganized and insufficient response has taxed the already weak public health system. Denying that COVID-19 was a threat, Ortega continued to hold large scale public events and fired several of the doctors who spoke out about government mismanagement response and denial of the severity of the virus.7 For Nicaraguans, the pandemic has contributed to rising rates of joblessness, limited housing, enforced lockdowns, limited access to services and information, lack of mobility and the closing of the borders. Economic turmoil partly from the damaging hurricanes of Eta and Iota paired with Ortega’s increasingly authoritarian policies and repressive actions have pushed many to try to flee over the border to Costa Rica, despite the pandemic. If successful, the conditions they await in Costa Rica are vulnerable and complicated—many struggle to survive, let alone continue their work. Purpose of the Case Study The purpose of this case study is to learn about the specific experiences and needs of Nicaraguan HRDs exiled in Costa Rica and provide recommendations to strengthen and expand their support and protection. The case study seeks analyze the availability of support for Nicaraguan HRDs in Costa Rica, existing accompaniment programs, their specific needs, as well as the host government policies and response. By selecting the two most emblematic cases in the region for HRDs, Nicaraguans in Costa Rica and Venezuelans in Colombia, the Freedom House team hopes to contribute to the growing policy dialogue on how to support those forced to flee their countries due to the nature of their work and how best to continue that work once they are relocated. The focus on the specific cases will help to understand the role of key actors and how they interact and collaborate with each other to support and protect HRDs. The actors are: 1) the host government institutions in Colombia and Costa Rica, at the national and local levels; 2) the Venezuelan and Nicaraguan HRD communities in the host countries; 3) the Colombian and Costa Rican HRDs and CSOs in host countries; and 4) the international governmental and non-governmental organizations in the host country. Moreover, the two cases will help to identify existing approaches to shelter HRDs and democracy activists, the services they receive, and their needs. Furthermore, the analysis and systematization of these two cases should help with initial inputs to develop 2 @FreedomHouse and implement in host countries effective, sustainable, and comprehensive approaches to respond to HRDs’ needs, and to help the host governments and non-governmental organizations utilize their resources more effectively and efficiently to meet the needs of HRDs in their host communities. At the same time, the focus on these two cases from the perspective of the HRDs will highlight their needs related to health, livelihoods, psychological, education, citizen security, family links, and advocacy opportunities. Methodology This case study focused on HRDs and CSOs that specifically defend human rights. Under the definition of the United Nations, a HRD is a “person who acts to promote or protect human rights in a peaceful manner, whether they are an individual or a group, is a defender of human rights.”8 The methodology guiding the research used to produce this case study included: First, an initial desk study and literature review to synthesize information available in written documents (more than 60 documents, see Annex 2). Second, nineteen (19) semi-structured interviews (between January-March 2021) with 27 key informants and stakeholders (activists, journalists, and human rights organizations) in San José, Upala, and Guanacaste (Liberia and La Cruz), for a nonrepresentative sample. Third, focus groups interviews with five specific stakeholder groups. Fourth, a targeted survey in August 2021 with 20 Nicaraguan HRDs who are currently living in Costa Rica. Finally, based on the information collected, Freedom House produced the case study. Throughout the process, the team met several times to outline themes, review and discuss information and finalize the report. Although not exhaustive, the case study serves as a starting point to document recent trends, approaches and potential entry points for future Nicaraguan HRD activities and support in Costa Rica. Given time and resources limitations, the case study was limited in its scope. As such, it is not intended to be an impact or capacity assessment; much less an evaluation of specific programs and/or initiatives. Rather, it describes (based on secondary information available and under time constraints) the state of needs to increase support and protection for vulnerable Nicaraguan activists and HRDs in Costa Rica and highlights major areas that merit programmatic attention. It maps out priorities and recommendations. The interviews were guided by a list of questions around understanding the profile of HRDs, as well as their needs. The case study research inquiry focused on topics related to how