On shortcomings and deficiencies of the ‘Amnesty Law’ in Venezuela

European Parliament resolution on shortcomings and deficiencies of the ‘Amnesty Law’ in Venezuela

(2026/2704(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to its resolutions on Venezuela,

–having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas on 3 January 2026, the United States conducted a military intervention resulting in the extraction and abduction of Nicolás Maduro;

B.whereas the Venezuelan regime adopted the ‘Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence’ in February 2026; whereas this law, resulting from foreign pressure and rushed through the illegitimate regime-controlled assembly, functions as a limited, case-by-case relief measure, insufficient to restore civil and political rights or ensure national reconciliation and has become an additional instrument of the repressive apparatus of the regime;

C.whereas around 470 political prisoners remain unjustly detained, including military personnel, lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, foreigners (including EU nationals) and ordinary citizens; whereas the law applies to specific political events and offences, excluding large numbers of detainees on spurious or vague charges, and is not applied automatically – forcing admissions to false allegations before a regime-controlled judiciary, with beneficiaries still facing restrictive conditions such as house arrest and judicial supervision;

D.whereas the law does not dismantle legal and administrative sanctions, such as political bans or asset seizures, particularly for the democratic opposition in exile denied the right to return, preventing them from participating in a future democratic process;

E.whereas on 23 April 2026, Delcy Rodriguez announced the end of the amnesty law, breaching the constitution and the independence of judiciary;

1.Deplores the failure of the ‘amnesty law’ to unconditionally release all political prisoners, with at least 470 still unjustly detained under inhuman conditions, and deplores that its premature termination, limited scope, lack of independent monitoring and discriminatory implementation failed to provide any basis for political reconciliation;

2.Calls for the full and unconditional release of all individuals arbitrarily detained for political reasons; insists that all recover their full civil and political rights; stresses that the amnesty law must under no circumstances be applied to shield those responsible for human rights violations, who must be held fully accountable;

3.Urges the regime to immediately end repression and reform key judicial, law enforcement and electoral institutions, including shutting down all facilities used for arbitrary detention, ill-treatment and torture; calls for an end to political persecution, the unconditional lifting of all restrictions on political prisoners and guarantees of safe return without reprisals;

4.Recalls that, under all circumstances, international law, including the UN Charter, must be upheld;

5.Firmly reiterates that until meaningful steps towards a Venezuelan-led peaceful transition to democracy, respectful of its sovereignty, are taken, including the unconditional release of all political prisoners, the withdrawal and annulment of all politically motivated charges against the democratic opposition to the regime, and the establishment of a credible roadmap toward free and fair elections, the Council should not lift any sanctions imposed on individuals responsible for human rights violations; calls for the EU to do its utmost to achieve these results;

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