Venezuela: European Parliament calls for additional sanctions

In accordance with the latest report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, MEPs hold Nicolás Maduro directly responsible, “as well as the armed and intelligence forces in the service of his illegitimate regime, for the indiscriminate use of violence to repress the process of democratic transition and the restoration of the rule of law in Venezuela.” In the resolution, adopted with 455 votes to 85 and 105 abstentions, they reiterate their full support “for legitimate interim president Juan Guaidó”. Additional sanctions MEPs call on the Council to adopt additional sanctions targeting state authorities responsible for human rights violations and repression. EU authorities must restrict the movements of these individuals, freeze their assets and suspend visas, as well as those of their closest relatives. They support the ongoing facilitated process led by Norway to find a way out of the current impasse and welcome the agreement of both sides to engage in a peace dialogue which should create the conditions for free, transparent and credible presidential elections. In her declaration on behalf of the EU on Venezuela, High Representative Federica Mogherini warned that the EU will further expand its targeted measures against the responsible authorities if there are no concrete results from the ongoing negotiations. Arbitrary detentions, torture and extrajudicial killings MEPs denounce the abuse perpetrated by law enforcement and the brutal repression by security forces. They condemn the use of arbitrary detention, torture and extrajudicial killings and reiterate their support for the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the extensive crimes perpetrated by the Venezuelan regime. Humanitarian and migration crisis More than 7 million people in Venezuela are in need of humanitarian assistance, 94 % of the population lives below the poverty line and 70 % of children are out of school, MEPs warn. They also point to the migration crisis in the region