MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nicaragua
28.5.2018 - (2018/2711(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Ernest Urtasun, Bodil Valero, Igor Šoltes, Josep-Maria Terricabras, Florent Marcellesi on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the report of the mission carried out by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to Nicaragua from 17 to 21 May 2018,
– having regard to the statement of 15 May 2018 by the Spokesperson of Vice-President / High Representative Federica Mogherini on behalf of the EU on the establishment of a national dialogue in Nicaragua,
– having regard to the Nicaraguan Centre for Human Rights (CENIDH) reports of 4 May 2018 and 17 May 2018,
– having regard to the communiqués of the Nicaraguan Bishops’ Conference (CEN),
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Nicaragua,
– having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the wave of protests which started on 18 April 2018 met with unprecedented repression by armed police forces, including against the national human rights organisation (CENIDH) and its members;
B. whereas the protestors initially attacked the planned social security reforms, which were to include a 5 % tax on retiree and disability pensions and a major increase in social security contributions; whereas these protests then broadened into a rejection of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo, who are seen as autocratic;
C. whereas the proposed welfare reform, which was the main target of the protests, has now been withdrawn;
D. whereas other sources of discontent and open conflict are the sharp increase in export-oriented ‘extractivist’ activities in the mining, sugarcane and palm oil sectors, as well as in cattle farming, the inter-oceanic canal project, which is leading to relocations and serious irreversible harm to the environment, and the recurring repression of protests against these activities;
E. whereas the demonstrations initiated in April against the Ortega-Murillo regime are continuing; whereas the death toll of people shot has already risen to more than 70, mainly (but not all) youths, while some 900 people have been injured and around 60 men and women are alleged to have disappeared;
F. whereas the shutting down of radio and TV stations covering the protests and the blocking of media outlets on the internet are infringements of fundamental rights, including the right of information, and further contribute to widening the gap between those in power and the population of Nicaragua; whereas the killing of the reporter Angel Gahona during a live broadcast must be fully clarified and prosecuted;
G. whereas a partial truth commission has been established, but has been suspended on several occasions;
1. Condemns the disproportionate use of police and anti-mutiny force against protestors; urges the government to immediately stop its repression, to avoid further clashes and to guarantee the right to peaceful social protest;
2. Expresses its condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims; condemns all deaths, arbitrary detentions, and cases of torture, intimidation and disappearance, and calls for a full, transparent and independent investigation into these cases, with a view to holding those materially and intellectually responsible for such acts accountable;
3. Suggests to this end that an independent truth commission should be established, including the involvement of international organisations, in order to avoid impunity in any of the reported cases;
4. Welcomes the acceptance by the Nicaraguan Government of the recent report by the IACHR and expects that all its recommendations will be implemented, including protective measures for the 14 persons specifically mentioned by the IACHR;
5. Insists on the need to respect the freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the freedom of assembly, and expresses its solidarity with the legitimate demands of peaceful protestors whose life, integrity and security should be guaranteed;
6. Underlines the need to find a negotiated solution to the crisis which has recently erupted in Nicaragua, and therefore calls for the creation of an inclusive dialogue which should involve, in addition to the government, entrepreneurs and the Catholic Church, all relevant sectors, such as students organisations, trade unions, women’s organisations, environmental organisations and networks, and human rights defenders;
7. Regrets the current interruption of mediation talks and calls for these talks to be continued on a broader social basis in order to find a sustainable political solution for 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 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the Organisation of American States, the Central American Parliament, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.