Press release - Human rights violations in Haiti, China and Venezuela

Escalating trafficking and exploitation by criminal groups in Haiti

The resolution expresses grave concern over the sharp rise in child trafficking and gang recruitment, with children accounting for up to half of all gang members. MEPs stress that these children must be treated as victims, not criminals, and call for comprehensive disarmament, gang dismantlement and reintegration measures, including tailored support for minors.

It also highlights the systematic use of sexual violence by gangs to intimidate and control women and girls. MEPs call for urgent access to medical care, legal protection and psychosocial support for survivors, alongside strengthened investigations, to combat impunity, including into alleged extrajudicial killings.

The text urges Haitian authorities to bolster social protection systems, ensure access to safe education, and prioritise justice and accountability, while reaffirming the EU’s commitment to supporting a rights-based and sustainable response to the crisis.

The UN arms embargo needs to be fully implemented with stronger EU action to curb illicit financial and arms flows through enhanced judicial cooperation and border monitoring, MEPs add. They also underline the need for sustained international support, noting that the UN-mandated Gang Suppression Force (GSF) remains under-resourced. In light of declining global funding, including from USAID and the UN, MEPs make a plea for increased humanitarian assistance, particularly for healthcare and victim protection, and call on host countries to halt deportations to Haiti.

The resolution was adopted by 511 votes for, 21 against and 42 abstentions.

New Chinese law on ‘ethnic unity and progress’ and intensified suppression of ethnic identities

MEPs call on the Chinese government to repeal its new law on ‘ethnic unity and progress’ denouncing serious consequences for populations originating from Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia. Parliament condemns this law for encouraging assimilation policies and restricting cultural, religious, and linguistic freedoms, in contradiction with China’s obligations under international law. Parliament also demands the release of political prisoners, including Ilham Tohti, 2019 Sakharov Prize.

MEPs stress that the succession of the Dalai Lama is a religious matter and should be determined in accordance with Tibetan Buddhist traditions alone.

MEPs warn that the introduction and enforcement of the law will lead to severe consequences for EU-China relations. They denounce the transnational repression against individuals residing within the EU and urge member states to suspend their extradition treaties with China. Finally, they call on the Council to implement the EU Global Sanctions Regime against those responsible for the new law.

The resolution was adopted by 439 votes for and 52 against, with 71 abstentions.

Shortcomings and deficiencies of ‘Amnesty Law’ in Venezuela

After the interim President of Venezuela’s announcement of the end of the Amnesty Law on 23 April, MEPs regret that the law’s premature termination, limited scope, lack of independent monitoring and discriminatory implementation failed to provide any basis for political reconciliation. They are gravely concerned by the law’s failure to secure the unconditional release all political prisoners, with at least 470 still unjustly detained under inhuman conditions and reiterate their call for these prisoners’ release and the recovery of their full civil and political rights.

MEPs also stress that the Amnesty Law must under no circumstances be used to shield those responsible for human rights violations, who must be held fully accountable.

They urge the regime to end repression and reform key judicial, law enforcement and electoral institutions, including shutting down all facilities used for arbitrary detention. Parliament insists that the EU should not lift any sanctions imposed on individuals responsible for human rights violations until meaningful steps towards a Venezuelan-led peaceful transition to democracy are taken, including the withdrawal of all politically motivated charges against the democratic opposition to the regime.

The resolution was adopted by 507 votes in favour and 31 against, with 35 abstentions.