The political disqualifications in Venezuela
Parliament strongly condemns the Venezuelan regime’s arbitrary and unconstitutional decision to prevent prominent political opposition figures like María Corina Machado, Leopoldo López, Henrique Capriles and Freddy Superlano from running in the 2024 elections, a ballot which could have constituted a turning point towards a return to democracy in the country. MEPs deplore the outright interference of authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro’s government in the electoral process and the current serious restrictions on Venezuelans’ right to choose their political representatives. They urge the country’s authorities to provide the conditions to ensure a fair, free, inclusive and transparent vote.
With Venezuela ignoring the recommendations of the EU election observation mission while the country is experiencing continued institutional, economic and political instability, MEPs stress that the upcoming summit between the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) is an opportunity to voice support for and uphold the principles of the rule of law, democracy and human rights in Latin America.
Parliament also fully supports the International Criminal Court investigations into the alleged crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Venezuelan regime and urges the authorities to release all political prisoners.
The text was adopted by 495 votes in favour, 25 against and 43 abstentions. For more details, full text will be available here. (13.07.2023)
Kyrgyzstan: crackdown on the media and freedom of expression
Following an alarming deterioration in democratic standards and human rights in Kyrgyzstan, previously regarded as the most democratic of the Central Asian nations, MEPs call on the Kyrgyz authorities to respect and uphold fundamental freedoms, in particular those related to media and expression.
They urge the Kyrgyz authorities to withdraw and review a number of laws that are inconsistent with the country’s international commitments. This includes the controversial law on “false information” as well as the draft laws on “foreign representatives”, “mass media” and “protecting children from harmful information”, the so-called “LGBTI propaganda law”. The resolution notes that several Kyrgyz bills are being used to crack down on fundamental freedoms in the country, with MEPs pointing to, among other things, Radio Azattyk being forced to close, Kaktus Media facing criminal investigation and investigative journalist Bolot Temirov being illegally expelled to Russia.
Parliament also urges the Kyrgyz authorities to release all those arbitrarily detained, to withdraw charges against journalists, media workers and human rights defenders, including Mr Temirov and Next TV director Taalaibek Duishenbiev as well as Gulnara Dzhurabayeva, Klara Sooronkulova, Rita Karasova and Asya Sasykbayeva, and to put an end to the pressure exerted on national media.
The text was approved by 391 votes in favour, 41 against with 30 abstentions. The full resolution will be available here. (13.07.2023)
India, the situation in Manipur
Following recent violent clashes in the state of Manipur, India, which since May 2023 have left at least 120 people dead, 50 000 displaced and over 1 700 houses and 250 churches destroyed, Parliament strongly urges the Indian authorities to put in place all necessary measures to promptly halt the ethnic and religious violence and to protect all religious minorities.
The resolution notes that intolerance towards minority communities has contributed to the current violence and that there have been concerns about politically motivated, divisive policies that promote Hindu majoritarianism in the area. The Manipur state government has also shut down internet connections and severely hindered reporting by the media, while security forces have been implicated in the recent killings, something that has further increased distrust in the authorities.
MEPs call on the Indian authorities to allow independent investigations to look into the violence, to tackle impunity and to lift the internet ban. They also urge all conflicting sides to cease making inflammatory statements, re-establish trust and play an impartial role to mediate the tensions.
Parliament reiterates its call for human rights to be integrated into all areas of the EU-India partnership, including in trade. MEPs also advocate for the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue to be reinforced and encourage the EU and its member states to systematically and publicly raise human rights concerns, notably on freedom of expression, religion and the shrinking space for civil society, with the Indian side at the highest level.
The text was approved by a show of hands. It will be available in full here. (13.07.2023)
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