The high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Joseph Borrellcelebrated the release of “political prisoners” by the regime of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela and assured that the EU will continue to demand the freedom of all those who remain imprisoned, especially those who are European citizens.
“The good news is that the authorities of Venezuela, the Government of Maduro, have today released a significant number of political prisoners,” said the head of European diplomacy in a press conference after the meeting of foreign ministers of the community block.
“None of them deserved to have been arrested, none of them deserved to have been in jail, not even a single day. But it is good news that Maduro has freed a significant number of political prisoners,” he added, and then stressed that the EU will continue to demand the release of those who remain imprisoned and, “in particular, that of European citizens detained on the basis of false accusations”.
At their meeting, the Twenty-Seven addressed the “political situation” in Venezuela and maintained their “unity” in the non-recognition of Maduro as legitimate and democratically elected president of the countryexplained Borrell, who has chaired, barring any surprise, his last meeting of EU foreign ministers.
“The European Union remains united in its rejection of recognizing Maduro as a democratically elected president and, therefore, denying him the legitimacy that he would have if he had won the elections cleanly,” he indicated.
The head of European diplomacy added that the Twenty-seven “They will continue working to review the sanctions system” so that “it is not applied to the people of Venezuela but to its leaders and the Government.”
“We do not recognize the legitimacy of that Government and we will continue supporting the people of Venezuela in their fight for their democratic rights and supporting, whenever possible, a negotiated solution to the current crisis.”
On the other hand, the European Parliament Petitions Committee has requested the European Commission that promotes the prosecution of 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.
(With information from EFE)
