resolution motion, 10 February 2025
On the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular
Motion B-10-2025-0131 · (2025/2547(RSP))
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Bernard Guetta, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
AI:In short
This resolution condemns repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities. It calls for release of detainees, reversal of constitutional reform, respect for human rights, and EU measures including sanctions and support for exiles.
Key points
- Strongly condemns the Nicaraguan regime's widespread repression and calls for release of all arbitrarily detained, restoration of rule of law and freedoms, cessation of repression, and restoration of rights to exiles.
- Denounces use of statelessness and exile as a weapon against dissenting voices; calls for end to restrictions on civic space and respect for right to dissent.
- Calls on the Nicaraguan regime to reverse the constitutional reform and all repressive laws, respect international human rights obligations, and implement UN Group of Human Rights Experts recommendations.
- Calls on the EU and its member states to include human rights guarantees for European funds and ensure strict control so funds do not reinforce the regime.
- Calls on relevant authorities to strengthen support for Nicaraguan opposition in exile and cooperate with countries receiving migrants fleeing the country.
- Recalls that under the EU-Central America Association Agreement Nicaragua must respect rule of law, democracy and human rights; reiterates demand to trigger the democratic clause.
- Reiterates call to include Daniel Ortega and his inner circle in the EU sanctions list.
- Calls for immediate extradition of Alessio Casimirri to Italy.
Who is affected
- The Nicaraguan regime and its leaders, including Daniel Ortega and his inner circle, face condemnation and potential sanctions.
- Human rights defenders, political opponents, religious communities, and exiles in Nicaragua are the targets of repression and are called to be protected.
- The European Union and its member states are called to ensure human rights guarantees in funding and to strengthen support for opposition in exile.
Figures and deadlines
Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 4 Sept 2026 · Report a problem
Full text
Text 18 paragraphs
B100131/2025
Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular
(2025/2547(RSP))
The European Parliament,
–having regard to its previous resolutions on Nicaragua,
–having regard to Rules 150 of its Rules of Procedure,
A.whereas on 30th January 2025 the Nicaraguan National Assembly approved a constitutional reform that, radically changes the foundations of the State and the Nicaraguan political system; whereas it eliminates the division of powers, gives the Presidency control over all branches of government, independent institutions and the media and ignores the adherence of Nicaragua to international human rights conventions and treaties, including the one prohibiting torture;
B.whereas since 2018, the Nicaraguan regime has systematically, repeatedly and arbitrarily incarcerated, harassed and intimidated human rights defenders, opposition and religious representatives, among others; whereas over 5600 NGOs have been dissolved, including religious groups, and their assets have been confiscated;
C.whereas the main political opponents were imprisoned months before the elections, later expelled from the country together with human rights defenders, stripped of their nationality, and deprived of their political rights after being accused of “coup plotting” and “treason”;
1.Strongly condemns the Nicaraguan regime’s widespread repression; calls on the release of all those arbitrarily detained, the restoration of the rule of law and freedoms, the cessation of repression, the restoration of rights to exiles and their safe return; insist that they are sine qua non conditions for any prospect of meaningful dialogue;
2.Denounces the use of statelessness and exile as a weapon against any dissenting voice; reiterates the need to put an end to restrictions on civic space and respect the right to dissent;
3.Calls on the Nicaraguan regime to reverse the constitutional reform and all repressive laws, to fully respect its international human rights obligations and to implement the recommendations made by the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua;
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4.Calls on the European Union and its Member States to include specific guarantees of respect for human rights with regard to the European funds allocated, as well as funds channelled through multilateral and financial institutions, and to ensure, through strict control, that these funds do not contribute to reinforce the Nicaraguan regime;
5.Calls on the relevant authorities to strengthen support for the Nicaraguan opposition currently in exile, and to maintain close cooperation with countries receiving large numbers of migrants fleeing the country;
6.Recalls that in the light of the Association Agreement between the EU and Central America, Nicaragua must respect and consolidate the principles of the rule of law, democracy and human rights; reiterates its demand to trigger the democratic clause of the Association Agreement;
7.Reiterates its call to include Daniel Ortega and his inner circle in the list of EU sanctioned individuals and entities;
8.Calls for the immediate extradition of Alessio Casimirri to Italy;
9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the HR/VP, the OAS, the EuroLat Parliamentary Assembly, the Central American Parliament, the Presidency Pro Tempore of CELAC, the Vatican and the Government and Parliament of the Republic of Nicaragua.