Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his counterpart in Nicaragua on the treatment of protesters by police and security forces in that country.

The Government is concerned by the Nicaraguan Government's response to recent protests in the country and reported human rights abuses, notably reports that 63 people have been killed, including a journalist reporting live on the protests. The alleged excessive use of force by security services and disregard for freedom of expression shown by imposing media restrictions are unacceptable.

The UK joined an EU message of condemnation and called for restraint immediately following the violent protests. We continue to follow developments closely. The Government's calls for peaceful dialogue and the release of detainees are welcome. We urge the Nicaraguan Government to ensure a thorough investigation of all reports of human rights abuses.