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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2618(RSP))

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

B-9-2024-0183

on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Margarida Marques, Nacho Sánchez Amor

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A motion for a resolution on the case of Rocío San Miguel and General Hernández Da Costa, among other political prisoners in Venezuela. It calls on the Venezuelan government to cease its policy of repression, release all individuals arbitrarily detained for political reasons, and allow UN access. It calls on the European External Action Service, the EU Delegation in Venezuela, Member States and the international community to engage with Venezuelan authorities for releases. It urges Member States to maintain the sanctions imposed.

Key points

  1. The resolution concerns the arbitrary detention of Rocío San Miguel on 9 February 2024 and General Hernández Da Costa, detained since 2018.
  2. It states that politically motivated arbitrary detentions are part of a policy of repression by the government of Nicolás Maduro.
  3. It notes that activists and civil society organizations have been harassed, persecuted and censored amid a humanitarian emergency and human rights crisis.
  4. It notes that on 9 January 2024 the National Assembly resumed consideration of a bill to restrict and potentially criminalise and close NGOs.
  5. It notes that on 15 February the Venezuelan government suspended the activities of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
  6. It states that these facts signal an escalation in attempts to evade international scrutiny and are intended to crush government opposition before elections on 28 July 2024.
  7. It calls on the Venezuelan government to cease its policy of repression, cease attacks on civil society and immediately and unconditionally release all individuals arbitrarily detained for political reasons.
  8. It calls on the Venezuelan government to provide unhindered access to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and cooperate with international scrutiny and justice mechanisms.
  9. It calls on the European External Action Service, the EU Delegation in Venezuela, Member States and the international community to engage with Venezuelan authorities up to the highest level for the immediate and unconditional release of individuals arbitrarily detained for political reasons.
  10. It urges Member States to maintain the sanctions imposed.

Who is affected

  • Venezuelan government: called on to cease repression, release political prisoners and allow UN access.
  • EU Member States: urged to maintain sanctions and engage with Venezuelan authorities.
  • European External Action Service and EU Delegation in Venezuela: called on to engage with Venezuelan authorities.
  • International community: called on to engage with Venezuelan authorities for releases.

Figures and deadlines

  • 9 February 2024: date Rocío San Miguel was arbitrarily detained.
  • 2018: year General Hernández Da Costa has been detained since.
  • 9 January 2024: date the National Assembly resumed consideration of a bill on NGOs.
  • 15 February: date the Venezuelan government announced suspension of OHCHR activities.
  • 28 July 2024: date of elections.