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EU Parl Watch

Adopted text, 30 April 2026

Shortcomings and deficiencies of the ‘Amnesty Law’ in Venezuela

Document TA-10-2026-0153 · P10_TA(2026)0153 · PE783.252

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AI:In short

This resolution condemns Venezuela's 'Amnesty Law' as insufficient and repressive, noting that at least 470 political prisoners remain detained and the law has been prematurely terminated. It demands the unconditional release of all political prisoners, an end to repression, and judicial and electoral reforms, while insisting that human rights violators be held accountable. It also urges the Council not to lift sanctions until meaningful steps toward democracy are taken, and calls on the EU to support these goals.

Key points

  1. Deplores the failure of the amnesty law to release all political prisoners, with at least 470 still detained under inhuman conditions, and its premature termination and discriminatory implementation.
  2. Calls for the full and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained political prisoners and the restoration of their civil and political rights.
  3. Stresses that the amnesty law must not shield human rights violators, who must be held accountable.
  4. Urges the regime to end repression and reform judicial, law enforcement and electoral institutions, including closing facilities used for arbitrary detention and torture.
  5. Calls for an end to political persecution, lifting all restrictions on political prisoners, and guaranteeing safe return without reprisals.
  6. Recalls that international law, including the UN Charter, must be upheld under all circumstances.
  7. Reiterates that the Council should not lift sanctions on individuals responsible for human rights violations until meaningful steps toward a Venezuelan-led democratic transition are taken.
  8. Calls for the EU to do its utmost to achieve the release of political prisoners, annulment of politically motivated charges, and a credible roadmap to free and fair elections.

Who is affected

  • Political prisoners in Venezuela, including military personnel, lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, foreigners and ordinary citizens.
  • The Venezuelan regime, which is urged to end repression and reform institutions.
  • The Council of the EU, which is asked not to lift sanctions until conditions are met.

Figures and deadlines

  • 470 political prisoners remain unjustly detained.

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 15 paragraphs

European Parliament resolution of 30 April 2026 on shortcomings and deficiencies of the ‘Amnesty Law’ in Venezuela (2026/2704(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to its resolutions on Venezuela,

–having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas on 3 January 2026, the United States conducted a military intervention resulting in the extraction and abduction of Nicolás Maduro;

B.whereas the Venezuelan regime adopted the ‘Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence’ in February 2026; whereas this law, resulting from foreign pressure and rushed through the illegitimate regime-controlled assembly, functions as a limited, case-by-case relief measure, insufficient to restore civil and political rights or ensure national reconciliation and has become an additional instrument of the repressive apparatus of the regime;

C.whereas around 470 political prisoners remain unjustly detained, including military personnel, lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, foreigners (including EU nationals) and ordinary citizens; whereas the law applies to specific political events and offences, excluding large numbers of detainees on spurious or vague charges, and is not applied automatically – forcing admissions to false allegations before a regime-controlled judiciary, with beneficiaries still facing restrictive conditions such as house arrest and judicial supervision;

D.whereas the law does not dismantle legal and administrative sanctions, such as political bans or asset seizures, particularly for the democratic opposition in exile denied the right to return, preventing them from participating in a future democratic process;

E.whereas on 23 April 2026, Delcy Rodriguez announced the end of the amnesty law, breaching the constitution and the independence of judiciary;

1.Deplores the failure of the ‘amnesty law’ to unconditionally release all political prisoners, with at least 470 still unjustly detained under inhuman conditions, and deplores that its premature termination, limited scope, lack of independent monitoring and discriminatory implementation failed to provide any basis for political reconciliation;

2.Calls for the full and unconditional release of all individuals arbitrarily detained for political reasons; insists that all recover their full civil and political rights; stresses that the amnesty law must under no circumstances be applied to shield those responsible for human rights violations, who must be held fully accountable;

3.Urges the regime to immediately end repression and reform key judicial, law enforcement and electoral institutions, including shutting down all facilities used for arbitrary detention, ill-treatment and torture; calls for an end to political persecution, the unconditional lifting of all restrictions on political prisoners and guarantees of safe return without reprisals;

4.Recalls that, under all circumstances, international law, including the UN Charter, must be upheld;

5.Firmly reiterates that until meaningful steps towards a Venezuelan-led peaceful transition to democracy, respectful of its sovereignty, are taken, including the unconditional release of all political prisoners, the withdrawal and annulment of all politically motivated charges against the democratic opposition to the regime, and the establishment of a credible roadmap toward free and fair elections, the Council should not lift any sanctions imposed on individuals responsible for human rights violations; calls for the EU to do its utmost to achieve these results;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the VP/HR.