What changed

B100316/2026

B100315/2026

European Parliament resolution on political prisoners in Nicaragua –- the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto and Brooklyn Rivera

(2026/2765(RSP))

–- having regard to its previous resolutions on Nicaragua,

–- having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4)150 of its Rules of Procedure,Procedure;

A. whereas since 2018, the Nicaraguan regime has systematically, and arbitrarily persecuted human rights defenders (HRDs), opposition and religious representatives, among others; whereas over 5 600 NGOs have been dissolved, including indigenous and religious groups – mainly Catholic – and their assets confiscated;

whereas former army colonel and dissident Carlos Brenes and his wife Salvadora Martinez were again arbitrarily detained on 14th August 2025 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for the alleged crime of “treason” according to an IACHR ruling; whereas their whereabouts haven’t been reliably confirmed and no family member has had contact with them since their detention, which amounts to enforced disappearance;

B. whereas imprisoned political opponents, along with HRDs, have been expelled from the country, stripped of their nationality and deprived of their political rights and some of them such as Brooklyn Rivera died under custody; whereas since 2018, 245 members of the clergy have been arbitrarily arrested or expelled, including Bishop Rolando Álvarez, Sakharov Prize finalist;

whereas prominent Miskitu leader and former legislator Brooklyn Rivera’s relatives were informed on 30 May 2026 of his death after more than 32 months in State custody; whereas members of his family who went to claim his remains are enforcedly disappeared; whereas he was arbitrarily detained and enforcedly disappeared since his clandestine return to Nicaragua in September 2023; whereas in May 2023 he was prevented from returning to Nicaragua as a reprisal for his cooperation with the UN;

C. whereas in January 2025, the regime passed a constitutional reform that eliminates the separation of powers and political pluralism, reinforcing the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship in the country;

whereas the Nicaraguan regime continues with a pattern of serious allegations of torture and mistreatment of inmates in prisons; whereas since August 2025 the UN has registered three other cases of death in custody, also appearing related to poor conditions of detention and insufficient medical care;

D. Whereas systematic repression has triggered a migration and humanitarian crisis in the region; whereas the UN and the UNHCR place the Nicaraguan exile on the order of an estimated 935,000 departures between 2018 and June 2023; whereas migration is being weaponised by the Ortega-Murillo regime to destabilize the region;

whereas in March 2026, the report of a Group of Experts on Nicaragua described repression and persecution by authorities as systematic, amounting to, prima facie, crimes against humanity;

1. Strongly condemns and demand truth and accountability for the death of the indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera under custody of Ortega-Murillo regime; denounces the widespread, systemic human rights violations against its population, democratic opposition, students, civil society organisations and its persecution of religious leaders, primarily Catholic; urges the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained, notably Carlos Brenes Sánchez and his wife, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto;

Strongly condemns the Nicaraguan regime’s widespread repression; urges the Nicaraguan regime to release all those arbitrarily detained and ensure that detention facilities fully comply with international human rights standards, including access to adequate healthcare, notifying family, and ensuring access to legal representation and to an independent justice system.

2. Stresses that the judicial system lacks independence from the executive branch; expresses concern about the manipulation of criminal law and the use of the justice system as a tool to criminalise the exercise of civil and political rights in the country;

Calls on an immediate proof of life for Mr. Brenes and Mrs. Martínez, as well as their unconditional release; is deeply concern over Mr. Brenes’ health conditions and fears that his life is in immediate and irreparable danger.

3. Calls on the Ortega-Murillo regime to reverse its constitutional reform and all repressive laws institutionalising totalitarianism, to fully respect its international human rights obligations;

Deplores the death of Mr. Rivera and calls on Nicaraguan regime to conduct a prompt, impartial and effective investigation into his death and to hold those responsible accountable; urges the regime to release his family members immediately while giving them access to all relevant information and ensuring their participation in decisions regarding his remains including the funeral rites.

4. Calls for the EU to halt the allocation of EU funds, including through multilateral and financial institutions to the Ortega-Murillo regime;

Calls on the regime to restore access of the UN Human Rights Office and other human rights mechanisms to the country, and particularly to its detention centres.

5. Highlights the key role played by the Catholic Church and journalists in Nicaragua; calls for the EU to reinforce its regular dialogue with them, including those in exile, to support their vital work;

Reiterates its demand to trigger the democratic clause of the EU-Central America Association Agreement and to include Daniel Ortega and his inner circle in the list of EU sanctioned individuals;

6. Calls on the Member States, to open investigations into the Ortega-Murillo regime for crimes against humanity;

Calls for the immediate extradition of Alessio Casimirri to Italy.

7. Reiterates its demand that the democratic clause of the EU Association Agreement with Nicaragua be triggered; rejects any prospect of holding any parliamentary dialogue with members of Nicaragua’s regime-controlled National Assembly;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the OAS, the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly, the Central American Parliament, the Presidency Pro Tempore of CELAC, and the Nicaraguan regime.

8. Reiterates its call to the Council and the Commission to expand the list of targeted sanctioned individuals, and to widen the sanctions imposed on Daniel Ortega, Rosario Murillo, Lumberto Campbell and their inner circle;

9. Calls for the immediate extradition of Alessio Casimirri to Italy;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, the VP/HR, the Member States and the Nicaraguan authorities.