- The NGO also recorded nine deaths from gunshot wounds.
The Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflict (OVCS) denounced an escalation of repression and violence against peaceful demonstrations that have been taking place since Monday, July 29, in much of the country, in rejection of the results of the presidential elections announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE).
The NGO has initially documented more than 300 citizen protests since July 28. Of this number, more than 115 protests were reported to have been repressed in 20 states by midday on July 30.
“The repressive actions have been carried out by armed civilians, identified as paramilitary groups, acting in coordination or with the acquiescence of officials from the state security forces,” the statement said in a press release.
In its report, the OVCS also made a series of demands to the Venezuelan State with the aim of preventing further escalation of violence in the country.
OVCS recorded at least nine deaths
The OVCS said it has information about the deaths of at least nine protesters from gunshot wounds during these days of protests.
“This confirms that serious human rights violations continue to be committed in Venezuela, as reported by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the International Criminal Court (ICC),” the NGO said.
He also warned that violence could intensify if “corrective measures are not taken in terms of public order control, progressive and differentiated use of force, and guarantees of human rights.”
The OVCS, another NGO that has offered data on the protests is the Penal Forum. In its report of July 30, it counted 11 dead and 177 arrested in the protests of July 29.
They demand that the State guarantee the right to peaceful protest
The OVCS also reiterated the State’s obligation to respect the right to peaceful protest, pursuant to Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 15 of the American Convention on Human Rights.
Similarly, Article 68 of the Venezuelan Constitution states that “citizens have the right to demonstrate peacefully and without weapons, with no other requirements than those established by law. The use of firearms and toxic substances in the control of peaceful demonstrations is prohibited.”
The OVCS made the following demands to the Venezuelan State:
-Respond to citizen demands for the dissemination of transparent and reliable information, according to international standards, on the election results
-Ensure full compliance and respect for Article 68 of the Constitution
-Full freedom for those arbitrarily detained in the context of peaceful protests
-Relevant investigations, in an expeditious and timely manner, to establish responsibilities and corresponding sanctions for the allegations of violations of the right to life, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, arbitrary detentions and illegal searches that occurred during the demonstrations.
-Address the recommendations of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (UNIFM) on freedom of association and peaceful assembly
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2024-07-31 03:58:04
