On Thursday 9 June, the European Parliament called on EU Member States and the UN Security Council to open “a formal investigation into Nicaragua and Daniel Ortega for crimes against humanity” through the International Criminal Court, in a resolution adopted by a large majority (525 votes in favour, 15 against, 29 abstentions).
MEPs are calling the Nicaraguan regime, in particular its judges, to account for the repression in the country and the legal proceedings against political opposition figures and other critical voices. They nominate fourteen judges who they believe should be added to the EU sanctions list (see EUROPE 12865/2).
On behalf of the European Commission, Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis had said the day before, during the plenary debate, that justice in Nicaragua was being “mocked and used to legitimise repression”. “Trials of political prisoners held in camera and without any trace of due process have resulted in at least 44 harsh and disproportionate convictions since 15 March”, he condemned.
The European Parliament also renewed its call for the extradition to Italy of Alessio Casimirri, an Italian terrorist living in Managua under the protection of the Nicaraguan government and involved in the assassination of former Italian Council President Aldo Moro.
Read the European Parliament resolution adopted without the votes of The Left: https://aeur.eu/f/227 (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)