General documents - EP Press Release of 14 March 2024 on the case of Rocío San Miguel and General Hernández Da Costa, among other political prisoners in Venezuela - Delegation for relations with Mercosur

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

Parliament strongly condemns the Maduro regime in Venezuela for imprisoning hundreds of political prisoners held in conditions that fail to meet the United Nations standard minimum rules for their treatment.

Demanding their immediate and unconditional release, Parliament exhorts the regime to cease repressing and attacking civil society and the opposition. MEPs want the EU to increase sanctions, including on high-level officials, members of the security forces, members of the regime's Supreme Tribunal of Justice and Maduro himself.

They urge the International Criminal Court to include ongoing human rights violations and arbitrary detentions in its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed by the Maduro regime. Parliament calls on the international community to support a return to democracy in Venezuela, particularly in view of the elections, in which the leader of the opposition to the regime, María Corina Machado, shall fully participate.

MEPs also urge the Chilean authorities to investigate fully the murder of Ronald Ojeda, a former political prisoner who escaped the Maduro regime, and urge the Venezuelan authorities to re-establish the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and guarantee their access to prisons.

The resolution was adopted by 497 votes in favour, 22 against and 27 abstentions. For further details, the full version will be available here. (14.03.2024)