Press release - Human rights violations in Nicaragua, Belarus and Burkina Faso

Human rights violations in Nicaragua, Belarus and Burkina Faso - Nicaragua must end systemic repression and release all political prisoners, including Carlos Brenes and Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto - MEPs condemn the imprisonment of Aliaksandra Pulinovich, and call for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus and bolder EU action against the Lukashenka regime - MEPs express concerns over Russia’s influence over security and political affairs in Burkina Faso and call on the Burkinabe authorities to restore public freedoms On Thursday, Parliament adopted three resolutions on the human rights situations in Nicaragua, Belarus and Burkina Faso. Political prisoners in Nicaragua – the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto and Brooklyn Rivera MEPs strongly condemn the Ortega-Murillo regime’s systematic repression, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity. They deplore the persecution of Christian churches, indigenous peoples, civil society and political opponents, and call for a prompt investigation into Brooklyn Rivera’s death, as well as the return of his remains to his family. Parliament calls for the release of Brenes, Martínez Aburto and all political prisoners, the annulment of politically motivated convictions, and respect for freedom of religion and belief. They also call on Nicaragua to comply with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) and support efforts to ensure accountability, including through a referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC). MEPs call on the Council and the Commission to suspend application of the EU-Central America Association Agreement in respect of Nicaragua, and on the EU to ensure that no EU or multilateral funds help underpin the regime and to expand targeted sanctions against perpetrators, including President Daniel Ortega and his inner circle. The resolution was adopted by show of hands. The deteriorating situation of political prisoners in Belarus, in particular the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich Parliament strongly condemns the continued repression of political prisoners in Belarus, highlighting the case of Aliaksandra Pulinovich, who was detained in 2024, at the age of 16, and sentenced to more than ten years in prison after being accused of involvement in anti-war graffiti actions in the ‘Black Nightingales’ case. MEPs call for the immediate and unconditional release of Pulinovich and all political prisoners, condemning the Belarusian authorities' misuse of anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation to criminalise anti-war expression and solidarity with Ukraine, and to silence peaceful dissent, including among young people. They denounce the ongoing ill-treatment of detainees and urge the authorities to end torture, incommunicado detention, denial of medical care, and restrictions on access to lawyers and family members, as well as to investigate deaths in custody and allegations of torture. Parliament stresses that the release of all political prisoners and an end to repression remain prerequisites for any meaningful political dialogue or economic cooperation with Belarus. MEPs also call on the EU and international partners to step up efforts to secure the release of all political prisoners, strengthen and strictly enforce targeted sanctions against those responsible for repression, and support international accountability efforts for crimes committed by the Lukashenka regime. The resolution was adopted by 504 votes in favour and 4 against, with 55 abstentions. The continued crackdown on civic space and fundamental freedoms in Burkina Faso Parliament calls on the Burkinabe authorities, which have dissolved and suspended civil society organisations, to uphold freedom of association, assembly and expression in the country. MEPs also note that press freedoms are severely endangered and call for restrictions on media to be lifted and journalists to be allowed to work freely and safely. They call for independent investigations into all allegations of crimes and human rights violations and denounce intimidation, unlawful conscription, harassment, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance in the country. They urge the authorities to reverse their decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. MEPs reaffirm that counterterrorism efforts must be conducted in full respect of international human rights and humanitarian law, and express serious concerns over Russia’s influence in Burkina Faso since the expulsion of European forces, contributing to human rights violations and authoritarian drift. The EU should work with African partners to address security and governance challenges and strengthen support for civil society and humanitarian actors, they add. The resolution was adopted by 476 votes in favour and 11 against, with 75 abstentions.