Call to Suspend EU Association Agreement with Nicaragua
European Parliament demands punishment of Ortega’s regime
MEPs Reject Reform of Nicaragua’s Constitution and Demand the Regime be Taken to the International Criminal Court
HAVANA TIMES – On Thursday, February 13, 2025, the European Parliament condemned the latest constitutional reform by the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. It urged the European Union (EU) to activate the “democratic clause” of its Association Agreement, which would allow the suspension of the pact if human rights are not respected. It also called on EU member states to report the regime to the International Criminal Court.
In a resolution approved by a show of hands, the European Parliament urged Ortega and Murillo to revoke the latest reform to Nicaragua’s Constitution, which transformed the state, and “all repressive laws that institutionalize totalitarianism,” as well as the immediate release of all political prisoners.
“These are essential preconditions for any prospect of meaningful dialogue,” the MEPs stated, once again asking the EU to activate the democratic clause in its agreements with Central America and suspend this partnership if Nicaragua fails to respect human rights and its international obligations.
The European Parliament emphasized that the EU must include “specific guarantees of respect for human rights when allocating its funds, even through multilateral and financial institutions,” and monitor that the money it disburses does not contribute to strengthening the regime.
Take the Regime to the International Criminal Court
Additionally, the MEPs urged EU countries to initiate investigations through the International Criminal Court into the Ortega-Murillo regime for crimes against humanity and to expand the list of individuals sanctioned by the EU in Nicaragua to include Ortega, Rosario Murillo, and their inner circle.
The full session of the European Parliament also condemned “systemic and widespread violations of human rights against the population, the democratic opposition, students, and civil society organizations, as well as the persecution of religious leaders.”
Furthermore, they denounced the use of exile and revocation of nationality “as a weapon against dissenting voices,” called for the safe return of exiled individuals, and emphasized the importance of respecting the right to political dissent.
First published in Spanish by Confidencial and translated and posted in English by Havana Times.