MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Venezuela

16.9.2024 - (2024/2810(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 136(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Diana Riba i Giner, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Leoluca Orlando
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

B10‑0025/2024

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Venezuela

(2024/2810(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Venezuela,

– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to other UN human rights treaties and instruments,

– having regard to the statements of 31 July and 12 August 2024 by the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,

– having regard to the statement of 3 September 2024 by the Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,

– having regard to the statement of 8 September 2024 by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the latest events in Venezuela,

– having regard to the report of 30 July 2024 by the Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation of the Organization of American States’ Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy on the presidential election in Venezuela,

– having regard to the Partial Agreement on the Promotion of Political Rights and Electoral Guarantees for All, most commonly known as the Barbados Agreement,

– having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Venezuela has been suffering a severe human rights crisis for many years, marked by grave human rights violations and an ongoing complex humanitarian emergency; whereas this critical situation has led to more than 7.77 million people leaving Venezuela in search of protection, a number that represents more than 25 % of Venezuela’s total population;

B. whereas Venezuela held its presidential election on 28 July 2024; whereas on 29 May 2024 the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) unilaterally revoked its invitation to the EU to observe that election;

C. whereas in 2023 Nicolás Maduro’s government and the Plataforma Unitaria opposition alliance had committed, under the Barbados Agreement, to holding a free and fair vote in 2024 and to allowing all parties to select their candidates to run in the presidential election;

D. whereas the Venezuelan state authorities have extended their policy of repression on a wide scale since 28 July 2024, leading to the deaths of more than 20 protesters and bystanders and the arrests of more than 2 400 people, including approximately 120 children;

E. whereas on 15 August 2024 parliamentarians belonging to the governing party passed a law in the National Assembly of Venezuela that grants the government broad powers to control and shut down non-governmental organisations;

F. whereas the interim report of the UN Panel of Experts, invited by the CNE to assess the conduct of the election, underscored the lack of substantiation for the results announced by the Venezuelan authorities; whereas the CNE has refused to publish the full voting records (actas); whereas the EU has consequently refused to recognise Nicolás Maduro as the President of Venezuela;

G. whereas, faced with repression, political persecution and direct threats to his safety and freedom, Edmundo González has been compelled to request political asylum and accept the protection offered by Spain;

H. whereas Venezuela is experiencing continuous institutional, economic and political instability and systematic human rights violations;

1. Calls on the Venezuelan authorities to publish the full voting records (actas) of the presidential election of 28 July 2024 without further delay and to respect the will of the Venezuelan people;

2. Calls on the Venezuelan authorities to end the repression and harassment of the opposition and of civil society and to release all those who have been detained arbitrarily, guarantee their physical and psychological safety and their access to appropriate healthcare and medicines while imprisoned, ensure that they have access to lawyers of their choice, and allow family visits without undue restrictions;

3. Calls for the EU to work with its international partners to ensure that the will of the Venezuelan people, as expressed at the ballot box, is respected and to guarantee respect for democracy and the rule of law;

4. Calls on the United Nations Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of its Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela in order to thoroughly investigate human rights violations in the country and to hold those responsible accountable for their international crimes;

5. Expresses its full support for the ongoing investigation of the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court into crimes against humanity in Venezuela;

6. Calls for the EU and its Member States to provide logistical and financial support to human rights defenders and civil society to help address the current humanitarian and socio-economic crisis; calls for the EU to expand access to asylum and other forms of international protection for Venezuelans leaving their country, in line with international standards;

7. Calls on the Council, in view of the situation in Venezuela, to urgently examine the appropriateness of applying targeted sanctions, through the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, against those responsible for human rights abuses in the country;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the UN Secretary-General and the Venezuelan authorities.