MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the political disqualifications in Venezuela

11.7.2023 - (2023/2780(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 144 of the Rules of Procedure

José Ramón Bauzá Díaz, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Dita Charanzová, Olivier Chastel, Nicola Danti, Klemen Grošelj, Bernard Guetta, Svenja Hahn, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Karen Melchior, Urmas Paet, Dragoş Pîslaru, Frédérique Ries, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Ramona Strugariu, Dragoş Tudorache, Hilde Vautmans
on behalf of the Renew Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0331/2023

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B9‑0343/2023

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the political disqualifications in Venezuela

(2023/2780(RSP))

The European Parliament,

− having regard to its previous resolutions on Venezuela,

− having regard to the recommendations made by the European Union Election Observation Mission of 22 February 2022;

− having regard to the statement by the HR/VP of 3 July 2023

− having regard to the CASLA Institute report ‘Crimes against humanity, systematic repression and torture in Venezuela: responsibility of the Cuban regime’

− having regard to Rule 144,

A. whereas the 2024 presidential elections present a crucial opportunity for the restoration of Venezuela’s democracy and rule of law and for the normalisation of its relations with the international community;

B. whereas on 26 June, the National Commission of Primaries (CNP) formally approved fourteen candidatures; whereas these primaries aim at selecting a single presidential candidate among the opposition, and are a crucial civic process;

C. whereas ongoing arbitrary disqualifications of opposition electoral candidates by administrative authorities severely restrict the rights of Venezuelans to choose their representatives with the confirmation of a 15-year disqualification against opposition candidate María Corina Machado, as well as previous disqualifications of other prominent opposition figures such as Leopoldo López, Henrique Capriles, and Freddy Superlano;

D. whereas on 15 June, 3 members of the National Electoral Council resigned, forcing the resignation of 2 principal rectors, and the National Assembly, considered illegitimate by the international community, has appointed representatives of the regime to elect the new rectors;

1. Strongly condemns the recent arbitrary and unconstitutional disqualification of Maria Corina Machado, as well as of Henrique Capriles and Freddy Superlano, and the interference of the dictator Nicolas Maduro in the electoral process to prevent any successful outcome of the primaries; 

2. Deplores that the recommendations made by the EU EOM are not being respected;

3. Calls on the democratic opposition of Venezuela to continue to exercise its right to political participation and to elect its common candidate freely;

4. Reiterates that the only solution to the crisis in Venezuela is a political, peaceful and democratic way forward. Only free, fair and transparent elections that respect international standards, held under international observation can lead to democratic transition;

5. Urges Venezuelan authorities to immediately stop repressing its population; and further violating the civil and political rights of Venezuelans;

6. Calls on the EU to enhance its efforts to support democratic change in Venezuela;

7. Fully supports the ICC investigations into the extensive crimes and acts of repression perpetrated by the Venezuelan regime; calls for the European Union to support the initiative of the ICC States Parties to open an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed by the Maduro regime;

8. Stresses that the upcoming EU-CELAC summit represents an opportunity to uphold the principles of the rule of law, democracy and human rights, and calls that all participants abide by these principles; 

9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, to the Heads of States of the EU-CELAC Summit, the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States and the Secretary-General of the United Nations;