In a resolution endorsed by 391 MEPs (119 voted against and 177 abstained), the plenary session of the European Parliament has stressed that it “does not recognize either the legitimacy or the legality of the National Assembly established on January 5, 2021” on the basis of of undemocratic elections. The MEPs ask the Council and the member states to recognize the constitutional continuity of the legitimate National Assembly of Venezuela elected in 2015 – the last time Venezuelans were able to freely express themselves in an electoral process – and of the legitimate interim president of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó .
Free and fair elections are the only way out
The only way out of the multidimensional crisis that Venezuela is going through is, according to the EP, “a political, peaceful and democratic path, with credible, inclusive, free, fair and transparent presidential, parliamentary, regional and local elections.” MEPs call for the unconditional and immediate release of the more than 350 political prisoners in Venezuela and reiterate the obligation to fully guarantee the respect and protection of human rights in the country.
The text condemns the most recent repression of freedom of expression perpetrated by the regime and the closure of newspapers and media that are not politically aligned with the Maduro government. It also welcomes the Council’s decision to extend the EU sanctions to eleven more people, and encourages them to be strengthened and extended to more positions in the regime.
Community parliamentarians also regret the lack of international funds channeled to Venezuela and ask the international community to honor its commitments and disburse the amounts committed to face the serious humanitarian crisis, in line with what was agreed at the donors conference of the May 26, 2020.
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