On the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular

B100134/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular

(2025/2547(RSP))

The European Parliament,

− having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas since 2018, the Nicaraguan Government has systematically persecuted, repressed and incarcerated dissidents, political opponents, community and religious leaders, human rights defenders, civil society organisations and journalists;

B.whereas the regime has intensified its repression through the forced expulsion, arbitrary deprivation of nationality and confiscation of assets of over 400 Nicaraguans, with 135 deported to Guatemala in September 2024; whereas Spain has consistently offered its citizenship to Nicaraguan exiles;

C.whereas 46 people are reported to remain imprisoned in Nicaragua for political reasons; whereas families of detainees have denounced inhumane conditions;

D.whereas the regime has deployed a strategy of systematic repression against civil society and religious communities; whereas the government has closed at least 58 media outlets, and, according to the IACHR, has revoked the legal status of over 5,000 non-governmental organisations, with more than 1,500 shut down on 20 August 2024;

E.whereas in September 2024, the Criminal Code was amended to allow for prosecuting in absentia people outside the country, facilitating the persecution of dissidents in exile and the seizure of assets;

F.whereas in November 2024, the Constitution was amended, deepening the concentration of power in the executive, and providing legal cover to the arbitrary deprivation of nationality;

G.whereas in February 2025, Nicaragua announced its withdrawal from the Food and Agriculture Organization, adding to the increasing isolation of the country from the international community;

1.Strongly condemns the Nicaraguan government for its systematic persecution and repression, including through the use of forced exile and statelessness, of dissident voices, community and religious leaders, human rights defenders, civil society organisations and journalists;

2.Expresses its deep concerns over recent legislative and constitutional changes; strongly urges Nicaragua to repeal all repressive legislation passed since 2018;

3.Urges the Nicaraguan Government to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners; to ensure, in the meantime, that they have regular and unrestricted access to food, medical care, their family and lawyers of their choice; to withdraw all legal proceedings against them; to allow the safe return of refugees and exiles; to return all unduly seized assets; and to restore full respect for human rights;

4.Calls on the Nicaraguan authorities to stop unduly closing non-governmental organisations, to restore the legal personality of all organisations, political parties, universities and media outlets that have been arbitrarily shut down, and to return all unduly seized assets;

5.Calls on the EU and its Member States to provide support to the people that are detained, to strengthen support for civil society organisations, journalists and human rights defenders both in Nicaragua and in exile, and to intensify efforts to host, protect and assist those displaced and expelled from Nicaragua; welcomes the Spanish government’s initiative to offer nationality to exiles and their families;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Nicaraguan authorities, the Council, the Commission, and the HR/VP.