Resolution on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its terrestrial borders with Colombia and Brazil

The European Parliament adopted by 455 votes to 100 with 29 abstentions a resolution on the migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its terrestrial borders with Colombia and Brazil.

The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE and EFDD groups.

Members were deeply shocked and alarmed by the devastating humanitarian situation in Venezuela, which has resulted in many deaths and an unprecedented influx of refugees and migrants to neighbouring countries and beyond. They noted the violence, human rights violations, deterioration of the rule of law, lack of medicine and social services, loss of income and increasing poverty rates, which is resulting in a mounting death toll The International Monetary Fund has projected that hyperinflation in Venezuela will soar to 13 000 % in 2018, up from an estimated 2 400 % in 2017, resulting in price increases of, on average, almost 1.5 % every hour. Members noted also that 87 % of the population of Venezuela is affected by poverty, with the extreme poverty level standing at 61.2 %. Maternal mortality has increased by 60 % and infant mortality by 30 %.

Parliament considered that regrettably, despite the readiness of the international community, the Venezuelan Government remains obstinate in its denial of the problem and its refusal to openly receive and facilitate the distribution of international humanitarian aid. It indicated that the current multidimensional crisis in Venezuela is generating the largest population displacement in the region. According to the UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the total number of Venezuelans to have left the country has increased dramatically, from 437 000 in 2005 to over 1.6 million in 2017. The number of Venezuelan applicants for international protection in the EU increased by over 3 500 % between 2014 and 2017.

Parliament demanded that the Venezuelan authorities allow unimpeded humanitarian aid into the country as a matter of urgency to prevent the aggravation of the humanitarian and public health crisis, and in particular the reappearance of diseases such as measles, malaria, diphtheria and foot-and-mouth disease, and that they grant unhindered access to international organisations wishing to assist all affected sectors of society. It called for the rapid implementation of a short-term response to counter malnutrition among the most vulnerable groups.

Members commended Colombia, which is housing the biggest share of displaced people and also praised Brazil and other countries in the region, in particular, Peru. They called on the Member States to provide immediate protection-oriented responses to Venezuelan refugees or migrants on their territory, such as humanitarian visas, special stay arrangements or other regional migratory frameworks, with the relevant protection safeguards.

Warmly welcoming the EU humanitarian aid allocated to date, the resolution called for additional humanitarian support to be released via emergency funds, in order to meet the rapidly increasing needs of people affected by the Venezuelan crisis in the neighbouring countries. Members recalled that on 7 June 2018 the Commission announced a package of EUR 35.1 million in emergency aid and development assistance to support the Venezuelan people and the neighbourhood countries affected by the crisis, in addition to the EUR 37 million that the EU has already committed to humanitarian aid and cooperation projects in the country.

Stressing that the current humanitarian crisis stems from a political one, Parliament called on the European External Action Service to do its utmost to facilitate the international mediation efforts needed to open up spaces for a viable solution to the current humanitarian and political crisis.

It called for the holding of fresh presidential elections in accordance with internationally recognised democratic standards and the Venezuelan constitutional order, within a transparent, equal, fair and international monitoring framework, with no limitations on political parties or candidates and with full respect for the political rights of all Venezuelans. Members noted that the elections held on 20 May 2018 were conducted without complying with the minimum international standards for a credible process and failed to respect political pluralism, democracy, transparency and the rule of law.

Welcoming the swift adoption of additional targeted and revocable sanctions, as well as the arms embargo imposed in November 2017, Parliament recalled the possibility of extending these sanctions to those responsible for the heightened political, social, economic and humanitarian crisis, and in particular President Nicolás Maduro.