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

B100316/2026

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) of its Rules of 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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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

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;

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

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;

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.