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

Željana Zovko, Gabriel Mato, Paulo Rangel, Tomáš Zdechovský, Ivan Štefanec, Janina Ochojska, David McAllister, Michaela Šojdrová, Vladimír Bilčík, David Lega, Jiří Pospíšil, Andrey Kovatchev, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar, Inese Vaidere, Seán Kelly
on behalf of the PPE 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.

B9‑0350/2023

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

(2023/2780(RSP))

The European Parliament,

− having regard to its previous resolutions Venezuela,

− having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas ahead of the Presidential elections in 2024, the Maduro regime further hampered the electoral process; whereas the illegitimate National Assembly has appointed proxies to the regime to the National Electoral Council;

B. whereas on 30 June, the regime announced that Maria Corina Machado, one of the frontrunners for the presidency primary election within the opposition  to the regime, was disqualified since 2015 for a period of 15 years;

C. Whereas some prominent candidates for that election, like Henrique Capriles, and Freddy Superlano, among others, have been equally politically disqualified to compete in any election;

D. Whereas the CNE has systematically used this tool against most of the leaders opposing Maduro to exclude them from participating in electoral processes, widely reducing the chance for the electors to elect freely and fairly their representatives; 

E. whereas this is an obvious signal  by the regime to stop any chance for democratic change in the country;

F. whereas these politically fabricated disqualifications go against the recommendations made by the EU EOM;

G. whereas the OAS, UN bodies, main leaders in the region, the EU VP/HR, but not  current presidency of the Council,  have made statements condemning  this;

1. Strongly condemns the arbitrary and unconstitutional decision to impede candidates like  Maria Corina Machado, Henrique Capriles, Freddy Superlano among others, to run;

2. Urge Venezuelan authorities to stop repressing its population and further constraining the civil and political rights;

3. Fully supports that the primaries, that will take place on 22 October 2023, as democratic solution for Venezuelans in and abroad; Calls on the EU to support these elections and recognise its results;

4. Calls on the EU to redouble its efforts to help the return of democracy in Venezuela and to insist on the Venezuelan regime for the release of all political prisoners;

5. Fully supports the ICC investigations into the extensive crimes and acts of repression perpetrated by the Venezuelan regime and calls for the EU to support this investigation into alleged crimes against humanity, in order to hold those responsible to account;

6. 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;  considers that autocratic regimes, like the Venezuelan, should not participate to these summits among countries that share democratic values; calls on the EU-CELAC summit to issue a statement demanding full  respect for human rights, in particular on the lack of respect for democracy and fundamental freedoms in Venezuela; calls on the president of the Council to impede Delcy Rodriguez, sanctioned by the EU, to attend the Summit;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, to the Heads of State of the EU-CELAC Summit, to EUROLAT, the Secretary-General of the OAS and the Secretary-General of the UN;