Human rights

Freedom of speech is a right guaranteed by the Nicaraguan constitution and vigorously exercised by its people. Diverse viewpoints are freely and openly discussed in the media and in academia. There is no state censorship in Nicaragua. Other constitutional freedoms include peaceful assembly and association, freedom of religion, and freedom of movement within the country, as well as foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation. The government also permits domestic and international human rights monitors to operate freely in Nicaragua. The constitution prohibits discrimination based on birth, nationality, political belief, race, gender, language, religion, opinion, national origin, economic or social condition. However, homosexuality is un-criminalized. All public and private sector workers, except the military and the police, are entitled to form and join unions of their own choosing, and they exercise this right extensively. Nearly half of Nicaragua's work force, including agricultural workers, is unionized. Workers have the right to strike. Collective bargaining is becoming more common in the private sector.

Political pressure groups

Some political pressure groups are:

• National Workers Front or FNT is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions, including
• Farm Workers Association or ATC
• Health Workers Federation or FETSALUD
• Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO
• National Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN
• National Union of Employees or UNE
• National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG
• Sandinista Workers' Centre‎ or CST
• Union of Journalists of Nicaragua or UPN

• Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions, including
• Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A
• Confederation of Labour Unification or CUS
• Independent General Confederation of Labor or CGT-I
• Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS

• Nicaraguan Workers' Central or CTN is an independent labor union

Superior Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP is a confederation of business groups