Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the announcement of prosecution of presidential candidates in Nicaragua; and whether the Government has made representations to the (a) the Nicaraguan Government and (b) regional partners and allies of that nation on the need for free and fair elections.

The UK is deeply concerned about the unacceptable steps taken by the Nicaraguan authorities in preventing opposition candidates, parties, and activists from taking part in November's presidential elections. The detention and harassment of opposition figures represent further anti-democratic developments in Nicaragua at the behest of President Daniel Ortega. The arrests violate the guarantees in Nicaragua's constitution, and deprive the people of Nicaragua of the right to choose their political leaders and parliamentary representatives freely.

Bilaterally, we have raised our concerns in both London and Managua. In July, our non-Resident Ambassador to Nicaragua condemned the detention of opposition politicians when he met the Nicaraguan Foreign Minister. FCDO Ministers and officials also regularly collaborate with our regional partners and allies on the concerning developments in Nicaragua. On 15 June, as a Permanent Observer to the Organisation of American States (OAS), the UK voiced its support for the OAS' resolution condemning the arrests of leading opposition figures, and calling for free and fair elections. On 22 June, we were one of 59 countries to issue a joint statement on Nicaragua at the Human Rights Council. We will continue to work closely with our partners as Nicaragua approaches the November Presidential elections, calling on the authorities in Nicaragua to uphold the rights of all Nicaraguan voters to exercise their right to vote freely, safely, and without interference; to ensure that all political parties, their chosen candidates, and their supporters can campaign freely and safely in advance of this year's elections; and to ensure that journalists and the media are allowed to operate impartially, and without restriction.