On political prisoners in Nicaragua - the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto and Brooklyn Rivera

B100317/2026

European Parliament resolution on political prisoners in Nicaragua - the cases of Carlos Brenes, Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto and Brooklyn Rivera

(2026/2765(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Nicaragua,

having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas since the widespread crackdown on protests in 2018, the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua has intensified its systematic and arbitrary persecution of human rights defenders, opposition members and religious institutions; whereas over 80 percent of NGOs have been dissolved, and over 240 religious figures have been forced into exile, deported, or barred from their return to the country;

whereas on 30 May 2026 Brooklyn Rivera, long‑time representative of the indigenous Miskitu people, died in custody after almost three years imprisonment; whereas the authorities took 15 hours to confirm his death and refused to release his body to his family;

whereas Carlos Ramón Brenes Sánchez and his wife Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto were detained in August 2025 without warrants, held incommunicado for months, and later secretly sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on ‘treason’ charges; whereas at least 44 other individuals remain in arbitrary detention;

whereas Nicaraguan authorities continue to enforce severe restrictions of religious freedom, banning services in public spaces, subjecting ceremonies to surveillance, and criminalizing all expressions of faith;

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Strongly condemns the Ortega-Murillo regime’s widespread, systemic human rights violations against indigenous people, democratic opposition, civil society and its persecution of religious leaders, including through the manipulation of criminal law and the use of the justice system as a tool to criminalise the exercise of civil and political rights, as well as the freedom of religion and belief;

Expresses its grief at the death of Brooklyn Rivera and extends its condolences to his family and his community; notes with concern the circumstances surrounding Rivera’s death while in custody; requests the authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the events leading to his death;

Strongly condemns the arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and secret sentencing of Carlos Ramón Brenes Sánchez and Salvadora del Socorro Martínez Aburto; calls on the Nicaraguan authorities to disclose without delay their whereabouts and health status and demands their immediate and unconditional release as well as of all imprisoned political prisoners and religious leaders, and for all legal proceedings against them to be annulled;

Condemns the abusive detention and the lack of trial guarantees and demands that Nicaragua guarantee due process, access to legal counsel, family contact, and medical care for all detainees;

Urges the restoration of the rule of law and the legal status of all organisations, full respect for human rights, including freedom of expression, religion and belief and the rights of exiled individuals, including their safe return, as essential conditions for any prospect of meaningful dialogue;

Reiterates its call for the list of individuals and entities sanctioned by the EU to be expanded;

Deplores Nicaragua’s bond with authoritarian regimes in Havana and Caracas, as well as political, and military strategic alignment with Russia and China;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and Parliament of Nicaragua.