The European Parliament Petitions Committee has requested the European Commission that promotes the prosecution of the Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro before the International Criminal Court (CPI). As discussed this Monday, this initiative responds to human rights violations in Venezuela, intensified after last presidential elections. July 28as reported by the European Parliament.
In the debate, the president of the parliamentary committee, Sorrows Montserraturged the European Commission to act in compliance with the mandate of the European Parliament, pointing out that “a dictator like Maduro must be prosecuted” and that this action is key “in defense of the rights and freedoms of the Venezuelan people.” Furthermore, he demanded updated information on the situation in Venezuela, underlining the EU’s obligation to ensure the Human Rights and implement the resolution adopted by the European Chamber in September.
The citizen petition presented by Venezuelan opponents, supported by the Petitions Committee, requests the EU to urge the prosecutor of the CPI to report on the status of the investigations and urgently order Maduro’s arrest. This call is based on the crimes against humanity committed in 2014, 2017 y 2024and in the cooperation agreement signed in 2006 between the EU and the International Criminal Courtwhich obliges the EU to collaborate with the CPI in its sanctioning and preventive function.
In this context, European political representatives expressed various positions.
Alma Ezcurraof the PPemphasized the “moral obligation” of the European Parliament to maintain pressure on the Maduro regime and affirmed that the EU must “go beyond” expressing concern. He stressed that this is a constant battle: “For evil to triumph, it is only enough for the good to do nothing.”
From the PSOE, Sandra Gomez showed skepticism by arguing that Maduro’s detention exceeds the powers of the Petitions Commission, recalling that Parliament already addressed the issue in September.
On the part of Vox, Jorge Buxadé He defended that the Petitions Committee has full authority to act following the complaints of the European Parliament about the crisis in Venezuela. Furthermore, he criticized the alleged inaction of the Prosecutor of the CPI and accused the organization of “complicity” with the Venezuelan regime.
Finally, a representative of the EU External Action Service He reiterated that Maduro will not be recognized as president-elect without verifiable results. Supported the investigations of CPI on Venezuela, but recalled that only Member States can refer cases to the Court and request arrest warrants. Nicolas MaduroFor the moment, he remains under international scrutiny for the crimes he is accused of.
In September, the Prosecutor’s Office of the International Criminal Court reiterated its commitment to analyze “in an independent and impartial manner” the complaints related to the crimes that occurred in Venezuela following the presidential elections of July 28, 2024. In a statement sent to the press, the office led by the Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khanstressed that it will not stop its efforts to ensure accountability.
“The Office has been clear from the beginning of this work that it will not delay its efforts to achieve accountability regarding the situation in Venezuela, whether through its own investigation or through genuine and real efforts in Venezuela,” he said. the ICC Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation into the situation in Venezuela was resumed in June 2023, after a dispute between the ICC and the regime of Nicolas Maduro. The latter argued the exclusive competence of the country according to the Rome Statute. In reference to the legal proceedings, the Prosecutor’s Office stressed that the composition of the legal team that represented Venezuela during those litigations was public and that “none of the parties to the proceedings raised objections at that time.”
