On political prisoners in Nicaragua – the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto and Brooklyn Rivera

B100293/2026

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 Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. Whereas the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) concluded that the Ortega-Murillo regime is committing crimes against humanity and has dismantled the separation of powers, notably through the 2025 constitutional reform abolishing political pluralism and removing the prohibition of torture;

B. whereas Indigenous Miskitu leader Brooklyn Rivera died in state custody on 30 May 2026 after nearly 3 years of enforced disappearance; whereas the EU expressed concern over his death and called for a transparent investigation;

C. Whereas Carlos Ramón Brenes Sánchez was arbitrarily detained in 2018 for his participation in civic protests, subjected to torture and threats against his family, and released in 2019; Whereas Brenes and his partner Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto, were again arbitrarily detained in August 2025; whereas as of June 2026 they remain victims of enforced disappearance, with no proof of life and official information on their whereabouts or conditions of detention;

D. whereas the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) granted precautionary measures and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) also ordered provisional measures for them;

E. Whereas the IACtHR documented that in 2018-2019 Brenes was held in solitary confinement without adequate medication despite suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes; whereas recent reports indicate deterioration of his health;

F. Whereas since 2018 Nicaragua has closed around 80 % of civil society organisations and stripped at least 452 individuals of their nationality, leaving many stateless.

Strongly condemns the Ortega-Murillo regime’s systematic repression and crimes against humanity;

Condemns the arbitrary detention and death in custody of Brooklyn Rivera; demands a prompt, independent, impartial investigation into his enforced disappearance and death, in line with the Minnesota Protocol, and full accountability for those responsible;

Deplores the reported 15-year sentence imposed on Carlos Ramón Brenes Sánchez and Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto; demands proof of life, disclosure of their whereabouts, access to adequate medicine and their immediate release;

Calls for the release of all political detainees and clarification of the whereabouts of all victims of enforced disappearance, including the six relatives of Brooklyn Rivera;

Urges Nicaragua to implement the recommendations of the GHREN; calls on the EU and Member States to support its renewal and adequate resourcing;

Calls on Nicaragua to guarantee the safety of human rights defenders who remain in Nicaragua; highlights the essential role played by civil society, human rights defenders and journalists in and outside of Nicaragua; reaffirms its solidarity with the Nicaraguan people and support for democracy, human rights and the rule of law;

Calls on the EU and its Member States to strengthen support for democratic actors and civil society in Nicaragua and in exile, and to support independent forensic investigations into Rivera’s death;

Urges the Council to expand sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations;

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