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

Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Ignazio Corrao, Isabella Adinolfi, Rolandas Paksas, Beatrix von Storch on behalf of the EFDD Group

B8‑0158/2017

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 its previous resolutions on Nicaragua, in particular that of 25 November 2009 on human rights and democracy in Nicaragua,

–  having regard to the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement of 13 July 2016 between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama, of the other part, and to the Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama,

–  having regard to the EU guidelines on human rights defenders,

–  having regard to the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union applied since 2003,

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

 

A. whereas human rights defenders as well as Indigenous and Afro-descendant groups are still threatened and intimidated in retaliation for their work, particularly in the context of public protests,

B. whereas news outlets and civil society organizations faced harassment, several people were killed and hundreds displaced as a result of an intensifying land conflict in the North Caribbean Coast,

C. whereas violence against women remain in place,

D. whereas, defender Francisca Ramírez, coordinator for the Defense of the Land, the Lake and Sovereignty, was in Managua to file a formal complaint over acts of repression, violations of the right to free circulation, and aggression experienced by several communities from Nueva Guinea on their way to the capital city for a peaceful protest against the construction of an inter-oceanic canal, projects which will displace local farmers activities and indigenous people from the premises of the construction,

E. whereas the Nueva Guinea Police had confiscated her van, which she had left parked in El Boninche, and her truck, parked near La Lechera, both vehicles were merely used for her work and to transport her tubers to market,

F. whereas Ramírez’ vehicles were impounded by the police authorities in reprisal for her work as a human right defender and her role in the anti-canal caravan demonstration,

G. whereas Francisca Ramirez is a victim of abuses by the police in the country aiming at risking human rights defenders’ security and livelihood,

H. whereas the interoceanic canal project violate the land and environmental rights of local communities by cutting off food, land and water supplies to indigenous community,

I. whereas any project touching the livelihood of indigenous people and small farmers should be in compliance with the respect of ILO Convention 169,

J. wheres the truck and the van were released to Francisca Ramirez with windows broken, without side mirrors and lights and important damage to the keyhole on the driver’s side,

1.Deplores the police abuses on human rights defenders properties and asks for the compensation for the working material lost and the damages on her vehicles,

 

2.Calls on the national Authorities for the guarantee that no criminalization process will be initiated against her, and for the assurance that she will be able to continue working in defense of human rights in conditions of security and without the imposition of any kind of obstacles.

 

3. Urges the national and local police forces to refrain from harassing and using acts of reprisal against Francisca Ramirez for carrying out her legitimate work as a human rights defender,

 

4.Reminds them of their obligations to protect human rights defenders according to the 1998 UN Declaration of Human Rights Defenders,

 

5.Condemns numerous attacks and acts of harassment to which human rights organisations and their members have been subjected by individuals, political forces and bodies linked to the state,

6.Urges the Nicaragua authorities to abandon the interoceanic canal project because of its huge economic, social and environmental costs and because of its damages to ocean, nature and climate irreversibly affecting local communities and indigenous people,

7.Asks the Commission for the continuous monitor of the situation and to support human rights defenders in cooperation with international organization stressing on the need for Nicaragua authorities to abandon this mega project,

 

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States, the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, the Central American Parliament, the Government and Parliament of the Republic of Nicaragua