The European Court of Justice rejected this Wednesday Venezuela’s appeal against sanctions adopted by Brussels in 2017, which included an embargo on arms and materials that could be used for internal repression.
Contrary to the intentions of the Caracas government, the court found that Venezuela did not have the right to be heard before the “controversial measures” were taken, since this would “devastate” the ultimate purpose of the sanctions.
Sanctions, according to the court, are intended to “lead to a change in behavior [do país].
Moreover, the judges understood that sanctions did not require UN Security Council approval and that World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements had not been violated.
On the other hand, the court concluded that Caracas knew in advance the facts of which he was accused and could not point out a “material inaccuracy of facts” because the “Council [Europeu] relied on reliable and credible information to assess the situation in Venezuela.”
“The Council could consider that, as of the date of the impugned resolution, acts of violence and excessive use of force, as well as violations of human rights and the weakening of democracy in Venezuela, were sufficiently proven that there was a risk that these incidents would be repeated in the future,” the statement said. published after the decision was made.
The council had the power to determine, “without manifest error of judgment,” that “democracy, the rule of law and human rights are being violated in Venezuela,” the judges concluded.
The decision to impose sanctions was unanimously approved by EU foreign ministers at a meeting in Brussels in November 2017.
“These measures will be applied gradually and flexibly and can be expanded, targeting those involved in disrespect for democratic principles or the rule of law and in violation of human rights,” the European Council determined at the time.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called the measures taken “stupid,” believing that the decision is aimed at “imposing illegal, absurd and ineffective measures” against the people of the country.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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