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Nicaragua: Detainees

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

UIN HL1147, tabled on 7 October 2024

To ask His Majesty's Government what communication they have had with the government of Nicaragua regarding two Catholic lay leaders who have been detained without proof of life since 10 August, Carmen María Sáenz Martinez and Lesbia del Socorro Gutiérrez Poveda.

Answered on

15 October 2024

We share widespread international concern about the suppression of human rights in Nicaragua, including the right to freedom of religion and belief. On 10 September, we released a statement during the Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Nicaragua outlining our concern about the arbitrary detention of political leaders and members of the Church. We welcomed the release of seven priests in August but were alarmed by their expulsion from Nicaragua. We call for an end to arbitrary arrests and the release of all political prisoners immediately and without condition.