MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua, the case of Francesca Ramirez

14.2.2017 - (2017/2563(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure

Molly Scott Cato, Barbara Lochbihler, Ulrike Lunacek, Florent Marcellesi, Igor Šoltes, Josep-Maria Terricabras, Ernest Urtasun, Bodil Valero on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

B8‑0169/2017

European Parliament resolution on the situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua, the case of Francesca Ramirez

(2017/2563(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-   having regard to the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union, provisionally applied since 2013,

-   having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.Whereas Francisca Ramirez, Coordinator of the Consejo por la Defensa de la Tierra, Lago y Soberanía (Council for the Defense of the Land, the Lake and Sovereignty), was in Managua on December 1, 2016, with the aim to speak out against the repression of peaceful demonstrations against the construction of an inter-oceanic canal, a mega-project which could displace thousands of small farmers and indigenous people in the areas surrounding the canal project,

B.Whereas on that day, one of her trucks had been damaged, and seized along with another vehicle that belonged to her, and taken to the Nueva Guinea police station, where they remained until they were released,

C.Whereas Francisco Ramirez’ origanisation is a civil society movement that opposes the construction of this canal, the financing of which by the Hong Kong based HKND Group has vanished away, though the project has still not been officially abandoned,

D.Whereas this organization continues to ask for the repeal of repeal Law 840, which grants a 100 year concession to HKND Group for the land over which the route of the canal will be built,

E.Whereas any kind of retaliation and repression by local or national authorities against persons active in originations which strive to defend the environment and the rights of the people living in areas threatened by mega-projects such as canals, mining or dam projects are inadmissible,

F.Whereas any project touching the livelihoods of indigenous people and small farmers should be subject to consultation and only carried out if free, prior and informed consent in accordance with ILO Convention 169 is achieved,

G.Whereas the trucks were released to Francisca Ramirez, on 10 December 2016, with windows broken,

1.  Welcomes the decision to return the tow trucks back to Francisca Ramirez and hopes that she will be compensated for the material losses,

2. Supports the right of environmental and human rights defenders to express their protest without retaliation,

3. Urges the Nicaraguan authorities to abandon the inter-oceanic canal project, as not only its economic, but also its human and environmental costs are huge and the damage caused to the oceans, fauna, flora, climate and people living in the area, will be irreversible,

4. Urges the European Institutions to convince the Nicaraguan authorities to abandon the mega-project,

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President, Government and Parliament of the Republic of Nicaragua.