Following the debate which took place during the sitting of the same date, the European Parliament adopted by 52 votes to 5 with 1 abstention, a resolution on the attacks on human rights defenders, civil liberties and democracy in Nicaragua. The resolution had been tabled for consideration in plenary by the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, and UEN, groups.
Parliament notes that there have been allegations of fraud surrounding the results of the municipal elections of 9 November 2008 raised in the reports of the EU expert team, which highlight the unwillingness of the Nicaraguan authorities to hold a genuinely democratic vote. This has been accompanied by violence, targeted in particular at the media, and has led to polarisation and conflicts. In addition, there have been repeated attacks and acts of harassment which have been inflicted on the human rights organisations and their members, for some months now as well as on journalists and media representatives, by individuals, political forces and bodies linked to the state authorities. There have also been criminal investigations against those defending sexual and reproductive rights.
In this context, Parliament regrets deeply the way in which the local elections of 9 November 2008 were conducted, and believes that the results lack all democratic legitimacy. It also regrets the fact that the climate of suspected fraud in some municipalities has provoked demonstrations and clashes between supporters of different parties, leaving a number of people injured and aggravating an already profound political crisis. The government of Nicaraguais called upon to take urgent measures to pacify the existing situation, and asks the Nicaraguan authorities to respect the work of the human rights organisations.
Members regret equally the numerous attacks and acts of harassment to which human rights organisations and their members, independent journalists and the representatives of the Commission delegation in Nicaragua have been subjected to in the last few months, by individuals, political forces and bodies linked to the state. They call on the political parties to condemn their supporters' acts of violence.
The Nicaraguan government and the state authorities are urged to protect freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary and thus ensure preservation of the country's democratic foundations, and to ensure that Nicaragua ratifies the Rome Statute setting up the International Criminal Court as soon as possible.
Parliament recalls that in the negotiations on the Association Agreement between the European Union and the countries of Central America Nicaragua must be reminded of the need to respect the principles of rule of law, democracy and human rights, as defended and promoted by the EU. It calls on EU Member States to ensure that the situation in Nicaragua is placed on the agenda of all meetings with the Nicaraguan authorities, whether bilateral or multilateral.