Press release

Minister of State for the Americas statement on Nicaragua

FCO Minister Sir Alan Duncan deeply concerned by ongoing violence and reports of human rights abuses in Nicaragua.

From:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Sir Alan Duncan KCMG
Published
24 July 2018

Foreign Office Minister for the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan said:

I am deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Nicaragua, particularly the excessive use of force by the authorities and pro-government armed groups against the people of Nicaragua. Reports of human rights abuses, including the use of live ammunition, are alarming and should be thoroughly investigated. For stability to return to the country the Nicaraguan Government must take responsibility for ending the violence and provide safe conditions for peaceful dialogue to resume.

The UK supports the work by the Organisation of American States, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the UN, and we urge the Nicaraguan authorities to allow them to carry out their work without any interference. We also welcome the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference’s mediation role and encourage all parties to commit to a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

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Published 24 July 2018