Freedom of Religion/History/Country sources/Nicaragua
What is the oldest written source in this country that mentions this right?
Nicaragua
Free practice of religion was prohibited in the first Nicaraguan constitution of 1826, with Title 4 Chapter 2 Article 46 establishing that “[t]he Religion of the State is the Catholic, Apostolic, Roman, with the exclusion of the public exercise of any other” (Hein Online, 1826). Freedom of religion was first protected in the 1838 constitution under Article 53 which established Catholicism as the state religion, but stipulated that “the public exercise of the other religions is not prohibited” (Hein Online, 1838).
The current Constitution of Nicaragua was ratified on January 1, 1987. Articles 27, 29, 49, 69, 82.1, 124, and 180 grant religious freedom, equality, and prohibit discrimination. Article 14 declares that Nicaragua has no official religion. Article 29 states: “[e]veryone has the right to freedom of conscience and thought and to profess or not profess a religion” (constituteproject.org).
"Chapter 1: General Provisions." Constitution of the State of Nicaragua 8 April 1826, 1826, pp. 7-8. HeinOnline, https://heinonline-org.uc.idm.oclc.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzni0038&i=7.
"Chapter V: Of the Government and of Religion." Political Constitution of the Sovereign, Free and Independent State of Nicaragua 12 November 1838, 1838, pp. 8-8. HeinOnline, https://heinonline-org.uc.idm.oclc.org/HOL/P?h=hein.cow/zzni0040&i=8.
“Nicaragua 1987 (Rev. 2014) Constitution.” Constitute. Accessed July 26, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Nicaragua_2014.