resolution motion, 15 June 2026
On political prisoners in Nicaragua - the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto and Brooklyn Rivera
Motion B-10-2026-0314 · (2026/2765(RSP))
on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Maria Noichl
AI:In short
This resolution condemns the Ortega-Murillo regime's systematic repression and crimes against humanity in Nicaragua, focusing on the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora Martínez Aburto, and Brooklyn Rivera. It demands investigations, accountability, compliance with court rulings, release of prisoners, and an end to transnational repression, while urging stronger EU sanctions and support for democratic actors.
Key points
- Strongly condemns the systematic repression and crimes against humanity committed by the Ortega-Murillo regime.
- Condemns the death of Brooklyn Rivera in state custody and demands an immediate, independent, transparent investigation and full accountability.
- Condemns the 15-year sentences imposed on Brenes and Martínez Aburto without due process; demands proof of life, disclosure of whereabouts, access to medication, lawyers' access to case files, and unconditional release.
- Demands Nicaragua immediately comply with all Inter-American Court of Human Rights rulings; calls on the UN Human Rights Council to sustain the GHREN mandate and consider ICC referral.
- Urges the Council and the European External Action Service to strengthen targeted EU sanctions against officials identified by the GHREN as responsible for crimes against humanity.
- Demands Nicaragua cease all transnational repression, including surveillance, passport denial, misuse of INTERPOL mechanisms, and retaliation against relatives of exiles.
- Calls on Nicaragua to guarantee the safety of human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society actors inside the country.
- Calls on the EU and Member States to strengthen political and financial support for democratic actors and civil society in Nicaragua and in exile; reaffirms solidarity with the Nicaraguan people.
Who is affected
- The Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, which is condemned and demanded to comply with international rulings.
- Carlos Brenes and Salvadora Martínez Aburto, political prisoners, for whom release and rights are demanded.
- Brooklyn Rivera's family and the Miskito community, affected by his death in custody.
- Nicaraguan exiles and their relatives, targeted by transnational repression.
- Human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society actors in Nicaragua, whose safety is called for.
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 20 paragraphs
B100314/2026
European Parliament resolution on political prisoners in Nicaragua - the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto and Brooklyn Rivera
(2026/2765(RSP))
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) reports of February and March 2026,
A. whereas the GHREN has concluded that the Ortega-Murillo regime is committing crimes against humanity; whereas the 2025 constitutional reform abolished political pluralism, removed the prohibition of torture and concentrated power in the co-presidency;
B. whereas Carlos Ramón Brenes Sánchez, a 71-year-old retired army colonel, was first detained in 2018 for civic protest participation, subjected to torture and family threats, and released in 2019; whereas he and his wife Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto were re-arrested in August 2025 and remain forcibly disappeared as of June 2026; whereas the Inter-American Court of Human Rights documented in April 2026 that Brenes is held in solitary confinement and denied medication despite insulin-dependent diabetes;
C. whereas Brooklyn Rivera Bryan, Miskito leader, YATAMA founder, and former legislator, was arrested in September 2023 after speaking at a UN Indigenous peoples forum; whereas the regime concealed his detention for fourteen months, acknowledging it only under international; whereas Brooklyn Rivera died in custody on 30 May 2026;
D. whereas since 2018 approximately 80% of civil society organisations have been closed and at least 546 individuals arbitrarily stripped of their nationality; whereas the GHREN documented a State-financed transnational surveillance network targeting Nicaraguans abroad, including killings of exiled critics;
E. whereas Nicaragua has withdrawn from five UN agencies and the Human Rights Council to evade accountability;
Strongly condemns the systematic repression and crimes against humanity committed by the Ortega-Murillo regime;
Read the rest (8 paragraphs)
Condemns the death of Brooklyn Rivera in state custody; demands an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation, full accountability for those responsible;
Condemns the 15-year sentences imposed on Brenes and Martínez Aburto without due process; demands immediate proof of life, disclosure of their whereabouts, access to medication, access for their lawyers to all case files, and their unconditional release;
Demands Nicaragua immediately comply with all IACtHR rulings; calls on the UN Human Rights Council to sustain the GHREN mandate and consider ICC referral;
Urges the Council and EEAS to strengthen targeted EU sanctions against officials identified by the GHREN as responsible for crimes against humanity;
Demands Nicaragua cease all transnational repression, including surveillance, passport denial, misuse of INTERPOL mechanisms, and retaliation against relatives of exiles;
Calls on Nicaragua to guarantee the safety of human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society actors still inside the country;
Calls on the EU and Member States to strengthen political and financial support for democratic actors and civil society in Nicaragua and in exile; reaffirms solidarity with the Nicaraguan people in their struggle for democracy and the rule of law;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the Member States, the UN Secretary-General, the IACHR, and the Nicaraguan authorities.