Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 is amended as follows:
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in Article 9, the date ‘15 October 2024’ is replaced by ‘15 October 2025’;
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the Annex is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
On 14 October 2019, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720(1) concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua.
Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 applies until 15 October 2024. On the basis of a review of that Decision, the restrictive measures set out therein should be extended until 15 October 2025, and the statement of reasons in respect of two natural persons and one entity listed in the Annex thereto should be updated.
Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 is amended as follows:
in Article 9, the date ‘15 October 2024’ is replaced by ‘15 October 2025’;
the Annex is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Luxembourg, 8 October 2024.
For the Council
The President
Varga M.
The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 is amended as follows:
Under the heading ‘A. Natural persons referred to in Articles 1(1) and 2(1)’, entries 5 and 12 are replaced by the following:
Name
Identifying information
Reasons
Date of listing
‘5.
Luís PÉREZ OLIVAS
Date of birth: 8.1.1956
Gender: male
Head of District Three Police Station in Managua since 2023. Former General Commissioner and Legal Assistance Main Officer (DAEJ) in the “El Chipote” penitentiary centre. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, use of extensive force, mistreatment of detainees and other forms of degrading treatment.
4.5.2020
12.
Alba Luz RAMOS
VANEGAS
Date of birth: 3.6.1949
Gender: female
Nationality: Nicaraguan
Passport number: A0009864 (Nicaragua)
Former President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Nicaragua. Responsible for instrumentalisation of the judiciary in favour of the interests of the Ortega regime, through the selective criminalisation of opposition activities, perpetuating the pattern of violations of rights of due process, arbitrary arrests, and the disqualification of political parties and opposition candidates.
She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations, for the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and for seriously undermining the rule of law in Nicaragua
2.8.2021 ’
Under the heading ‘B. Legal persons, entities and bodies referred to in Article 2(1)’, entry 2 is replaced by the following:
Name
Identifying information
Reasons
Date of listing
‘2.
Supreme Electoral Council
Consejo Supremo Electoral
Address: Pista Juan Pablo II, Managua 14005, Nicaragua
Website: https://www.cse.gob.ni/
Email: info@cse.gob.ni
The Supreme Electoral Council (SEC) is the body responsible for the preparation, holding and certification of the general elections of 7 November 2021, which by their lack of transparency, true opposition and democratic debate, undermined democratic institutions and processes. The SEC deprived the opposition of the opportunity to stand for free elections and ensured the organisation of polls in non-democratic conditions.
On 3 October 2023, the SEC cancelled the legal status of Yatama, the main indigenous political party in Nicaragua, hindering its participation in the March 2024 elections in two autonomous regions of the country (Costa Caribe and Costa Caribe Norte).
The SEC is therefore responsible for the repression of democratic opposition and for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua.
10.1.2022 ’