Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
10. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of the current situation in Nicaragua ahead of the election in that country; if he has concerns about the crackdown on opposition politicians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47169/21]
View answerA presidential election is due to take place in Nicaragua on 7 November next. It is obviously a matter for the people of Nicaragua to decide who they want to elect as their president, but if it is the case that that election is taking place without transparency or fairness, it becomes a matter for the international community. I ask the Minister whether the Government has any concerns about the forthcoming election considering that, since last May, more than 30 opposition leaders have been arrested by the regime of President Daniel Ortega and it appears all opposition in that country is being suppressed.
From passports in Mayo to Nicaragua, but I am happy to take that question.
I am deeply concerned by the deteriorating democratic and human rights situation in Nicaragua, in particular, the ongoing repression of opposition politicians, members of the media, human rights defenders and civil society representatives. I am also very concerned by the arrest and detention earlier this year of a number of potential presidential candidates, many of whom are now being prosecuted under the foreign agents law, which contravenes basic democratic principles and seriously undermines the electoral process in Nicaragua.
This law, alongside others recently adopted, serves only to tighten restrictions on civil and political rights and fundamental freedoms and hinders the work of civil society and non-governmental organisations in the lead-in to the presidential elections due to be held on 7 November.
I support the statement of the EU High Representative, Dr. Josep Borrell, on 10 June calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained potential presidential candidates and all other political prisoners, ensuring respect for their human, civil and political rights. Inclusive dialogue is the only way to resolve the political, economic and social crisis in Nicaragua.
Ireland, through the EU, has consistently called on the Nicaraguan Government to abide by its own commitments, its constitution and international human rights laws and standards. Ireland is also supportive of the EU's introduction of restrictive measures against targeted individuals in Nicaragua who are responsible for serious human rights violations and-or whose actions undermine democracy and the rule of law. On 2 August, the EU Foreign Affairs Council imposed further restrictive measures on eight additional individuals, including the Nicaraguan Vice President, which means that a total of 14 persons are now subject to an asset freeze and travel ban.
Ireland, along with our EU partners, will continue to support efforts towards reaching a peaceful and negotiated solution in Nicaragua. Officials in my Department, including the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico, which covers Nicaragua, will continue to monitor the situation closely in co-operation with the EU delegation in Managua.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I share his concern. Some politicians have the benefit of being viewed as political saints. It is not a designation that applies to me or most Members of this House, but it is a designation that was applied to Mr. Daniel Ortega, the President of Nicaragua. As the Minister is aware, Mr. Ortega came to power in 1979, was elected as President in 1984 and was viewed as the great liberator who brought freedom to Nicaragua and fought against the Contras.
That may have been the case at the time, but it now appears that he has unfortunately turned into a Ceauşescu-like dictator. Some of the measures that have been introduced in Nicaragua recently are matters of extreme concern, and should be for our Government and the EU. As the Minister mentioned, many opposition leaders have been imprisoned, including journalists and lawyers. It is also the case that a law has been introduced prohibiting anyone who is designated as a traitor from contesting the presidential election. What further action can the EU take in order to show our opposition to these actions?
The EU is using its relatively new human rights laws to introduce targeted sanctions formally against individuals it believes are responsible for undermining democracy or compromising human rights in the context of international human rights law. The EU has already acted on that. It will remain under consideration as to whether we will extend those targeted sanctions to more individuals. These are real sanctions involving asset freezes and travel bans. Some in Nicaragua have assets in the EU. The sanctions are targeted and can be impactful. As we build up to elections at the start of November, the EU will continue to monitor the position.
It might also be worth considering whether the Department can encourage international human rights bodies to seek authorisation to return to Nicaragua. I am thinking in particular of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
It is a worrying development if there is this level of oppression in Nicaragua. I hope that the election on 7 November will be monitored. I am not aware as to whether international election monitors will be permitted into Nicaragua and, if they are, whether they will be given the freedom to appraise the election fairly. We can take a message from what has happened in Nicaragua, in that it is an example of a revolution that went wrong. Unfortunately, what started out as a revolutionary independence movement has transformed into a vanity project for President Ortega, his Vice President, who doubles up as his wife, and part of the Sandinista regime.
This is something that the EU has been following and continues to follow. It is not something that has got much media coverage in Ireland. Unfortunately, it is a part of the world that does not get the spotlight often enough. However, the EU will closely monitor how these elections are run and maintain a focus on its restrictive measures or targeted sanctions to try to be as persuasive as possible. There will be a request from the international community for full access for election observers. Whether that access is granted remains to be seen, but I would have my doubts.
It looks like Deputy Ring will ask the last question.
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for letting me in. I did not realise that I was going to be able to ask my question, so I thank her.
No, I am not "letting the Deputy in". It is now his turn to come in with Question No. 11. We are going to run out of time, so his time will be short.
