On the case of Rocío San Miguel and General Hernandez Da Costa, among other political prisoners in Venezuela

B90181/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the case of Rocío San Miguel and General Hernandez Da Costa, among other political prisoners in Venezuela

(2024/2618(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

A. whereas Venezuela is experiencing a continuous institutional, economic and political instability; whereas restrictions on fundamental rights have been systematic against dissidents, trade unions, human rights defenders and activists;

B. whereas there have been over 15,800 politically motivated arrests in Venezuela since 2014; whereas over 260 political prisoners are still detained, including 126 in pre-trial detention;

C. whereas on February 9, Venezuelan authorities arrested Rocío San Miguel, a lawyer and human rights activist; whereas her whereabouts remained unknown until 15 February, constituting a short term enforced disappearance;

D. whereas the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention demanded the Venezuelan government for the immediate release of General Héctor Armando Hernández Da Costa, former head of the National Guard's Anti-Drug Command, detained since August 13, 2018; whereas on 19 February, he was unexpectedly transferred to the "El Rodeo I" prison;

E. whereas on 9 January 2024, the National Assembly resumed consideration of a bill that seeks to restrict, potentially criminalise and close non-governmental organisations;

F. whereas on 15 February, the Venezuelan government announced it was suspending the activities of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Venezuela;

1. Condemns the latest wave of politically motivated arrests, including, among others, against Rocio San Miguel;

2. Is concerned by the intensification of the attacks on civic and democratic space and by the use of politically motivated arbitrary detentions; calls on the Venezuelan authorities to immediately cease its policy of repression;

3. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all people arbitrarily detained; calls on Venezuelan authorities to guarantee their physical and psychological safety and their access to appropriate health care and/or medicines while imprisoned, and to guarantee immediate access to lawyers of choice, as well as family visits without undue restrictions;

4. Call on the Venezuelan authorities to re-establish the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and guarantee their access to prisons, as well as to guarantee unhindered access to the UN Special Procedure mandates;

5. Call for the EEAS to work with other governments at the UN Human Rights Council to actively support the renewal of the mandate of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, which is up for renewal in September 2024;

6. Calls on the EEAS, the Member States and the EU Delegation to Venezuela to actively support international scrutiny, to continue prioritising the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law and to provide logistical and financial support to human rights defenders and the civil society;

7. Notes that the Venezuelan authorities have communicated the call for Presidential election to be held on the 28 of July 2024; urges Venezuelan authorities to ensure the electoral process is fair, free, competitive, inclusive and transparent;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Venezuelan authorities.