On further repression against the democratic forces in Venezuela: attacks on presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado
B-9-2024-0097
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Gabriel Mato, Michael Gahler, Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar, Leopoldo López Gil, Francisco José Millán Mon, Javier Zarzalejos
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Parliament's resolution condemns attempts to disqualify Venezuelan presidential candidate María Corina Machado and others from holding public office, calling the regime's Supreme Tribunal decision unconstitutional and without legal validity.¶¶ It urges all parties to respect the Barbados agreements, condemns repression and human rights violations, and calls for an independent nomination procedure for Venezuela's National Electoral Council.¶¶¶ It supports International Criminal Court investigations, calls for the release of all political prisoners, and urges member states not to ease but to step up sanctions, including targeted sanctions under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.¶¶¶ It says the EU can only send an electoral observation mission if María Corina Machado is the main opposition candidate and minimum conditions for free, transparent and fair elections are met.¶
Key points
- Strongly condemns attempts to disqualify María Corina Machado and others such as Henrique Capriles from holding public office.¶
- States that the regime's TSJ statement is unconstitutional and illegal, that Machado did not receive the allegations or a chance to respond, and that she remains eligible to stand for election.¶
- Believes these actions are dictatorial political persecution violating civil and political rights and shattering prospects of free and fair elections.¶
- Condemns attempts to undermine the electoral process and urges all parties to adhere to and respect the Barbados agreements.¶
- Condemns constant repression, systematic torture and violations of human, civil and political rights, and attacks on the Venezuelan people and human rights defenders.¶
- Calls for an independent nomination procedure for appointments to Venezuela's National Electoral Council.¶
- Recognises the opposition's primary elections, urges Venezuelan authorities to ensure fair, free, inclusive and transparent elections, and says Machado is the only acceptable and legitimate opposition candidate.¶
- Fully supports International Criminal Court investigations into the regime's crimes and calls for EU support for investigations into alleged crimes against humanity.¶
- Calls for the EU to support a return to democracy in Venezuela and to press the regime to release all political prisoners.¶
- Urges member states not to ease sanctions but to step them up until democratic standards, rule of law and human rights are upheld, and calls for further targeted sanctions under the EU Magnitsky Act.¶
- Considers the EU can only send an electoral observation mission if Machado is the main opposition candidate and minimum electoral conditions are met, which it says are not being upheld.¶
Who is affected
- Venezuela's regime and its Supreme Tribunal of Justice, targeted by calls for sanctions and findings of illegality.¶¶
- María Corina Machado and the democratic opposition, whom Parliament supports and deems the legitimate candidate.¶¶
- EU member states, urged not to ease sanctions and to step them up.¶
- The EU and international community, told not to accept any alternative opposition candidate.¶
- Political prisoners and human rights defenders in Venezuela, whose release and protection are demanded.¶¶