Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Monday, 20 March 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 April 2023. It was answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 March 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Nicaragua: Religious Freedom

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications for political and religious freedom in Nicaragua of (1) the decision of the government of Nicaragua to suspend diplomatic relations with the Holy See, and (2) the sentencing of Bishop Alvarez of Matagalpa to 26 years in prison, following his refusal to be exiled.

Answer: The ongoing deterioration of political and human rights in Nicaragua is deeply disturbing. In March, the report by the UN Human Rights Council's Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) condemned the restrictions on civil space and radical repression against political opponents, clergy, independent media, and human rights defenders. The UK's Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French, delivered two UK statements on Nicaragua, decrying the climate of repression, intimidation, and harassment, and expressed UK support for the recommendations of the GHREN report. We will continue to raise our concerns about political and human rights in Nicaragua, including on the imprisonment of Bishop Alvarez and all political prisoners, and urge the Nicaraguan Government to respect the human rights of all Nicaraguans.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL6598
Session: 2022-23
Subjects: Sentencing Religious freedom Vatican Diplomatic relations Nicaragua Álvarez, Rolando
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk