Brussels, 19/12/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 18 December, the European Parliament called on the authorities of Venezuela to withdraw their “unfounded” accusations against the leaders of the opposition.
In the resolution that they adopted (476 votes in favour, 109 against and 49 abstentions), MEPs call on the authorities “to immediately disarm and dissolve the uncontrolled armed pro-government associations and groups, putting an end to their impunity”. In addition, the European Parliament calls on the Venezuelan government to start a solid and open dialogue on human rights with the EU, and reiterates its request to send an ad hoc Parliament delegation to analyse the situation in Venezuela.
Sudan. In another resolution that it adopted (582 votes in favour, 1 against and 57 abstentions), the Parliament condemned the arrest and arbitrary detention of human rights activist Amin Mekki Medani and other peaceful protesters in Sudan, calling for their “immediate an unconditional” release. MEPs also ask the Sudanese authorities to put an end to the acts of harassment and intimidation carried out against human rights activists, to abolish the death penalty and to re-assess the law on national security.
Mauritania. In a different resolution, MEPs called for the “immediate” release of anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid in Mauritania, who was arrested on 11 November. The Parliament calls on the Mauritanian authorities to put an end to any form of slavery that persists in Mauritania, despite this being abolished in 1981. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and the member states should highlight the human rights plank of the EU's strategy in the Sahel region with the Mauritanian government, MEPs also state. (CG)