Costa Ricas long-standing commitment to protecting refugees is under threat as severe funding cuts cripple support for surging numbers of Nicaraguan asylum seekers, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) warned on Friday.

The UNs independent Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua has raised alarm over rights violations which have been sanctioned by the Government against the university sector.

The human rights situation in Nicaragua has "seriously deteriorated" over the past year, following arbitrary arrests, mistreatment of detainees, attacks on Indigenous people, and intimidation of political opponents, according to a UN human rights office (OHCHR) report released on Tuesday.

Without funding, asylum seekers are left in limbo undocumented, unsupported and increasingly desperate, said Ruvendrini Menikdiwela, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection.

Her comments follow a 41 per cent budget cut to the UN agencys operations in the country that have had devastating consequences.This is not about luxuries; the assistance were cutting is critical and lifesaving, she insisted.

The Central American nation today hosts more than 200,000 refugees and asylum seekers adding up to nearly four per cent of its population.

More than eight in every 10 are from Nicaragua, fleeing deepening political and social turmoil linked to serious allegations of systemic repression,according to independent rights expertsreporting to theHuman Rights Council.

Despite economic constraints, Costa Rica has continued to offer safety and hope to those escaping persecution,UNHCRsaid.

Safe spaces at risk

On a recent official tour of Costa Rica, Ms. Menikdiwela described meeting indigenous Miskito women who had fled gender-based violence and established safe spaces, despite language and cultural barriers. Their courage is humbling, she said. Butthe loss of services threatens everything theyve tried to rebuild.

The UN agency has warned that legal support, mental health services, education, job training and child protection initiatives have already been scaled back or suspended.

Many were tailored to vulnerable women and children in remote areas.

No right to a job, school or healthcare

Because of the cuts, the capacity to register new arrivals has plummeted by 77 per cent. But without documentation, refugees cannot legally work, attend school or access healthcare. With over 222,000 claims backlogged, some cases may now take up to seven years to process.

The Governments plea to me was simple, Ms. Menikdiwela said. Help us to help these people.

Costa Rica has long played a leadership role in regional and global refugee protection frameworks. But this solidarity is now stretched to breaking point, the UN agency said, in an appeal for $40.4 million to maintain its operations in the country Rica through 2025.

This is a stark reminder that protection must be backed by resources, Ms. Menikdiwela warned. If the international community does not step up, the consequences will be severenot just for those already in Costa Rica - but for stability in the wider region as well.