- The NGO recalled that this action is a violation of the Constitution | Photo: EFE/ Henry Chirinos
On Friday, August 30, the Penal Forum denounced the transfer of detainees during post-election protests in Nueva Esparta state, without the relatives of these people knowing “where they are being taken.”
According to the NGO, the fact that relatives do not know the whereabouts of the detainees is a violation of Article 44, paragraph 2 of the Constitution.
“Relatives do not know where they are being taken. They are referring to a plane prepared for their transfer off Margarita Island. We remind you that the authorities, by not informing the detainees and their relatives where they are being taken, are violating (…) the Constitution,” warned the Penal Forum through X (formerly Twitter).
#30Ag Nueva Esparta. Transfer of detainees in the context of post-election protests in the state of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela. Relatives do not know where they are being taken. They indicate that a plane is ready for transfer out of Margarita Island.
We remind that the authorities… pic.twitter.com/z8fzgfUxf6
— Criminal Forum (@ForoPenal) August 30, 2024
The NGO also said that the detainees have been prevented from “naming lawyers they trust as their defense attorneys.” The Penal Forum said that this practice has been repeated in most cases of detentions in the post-election context.
Penal Forum reported 1,780 political prisoners in Venezuela
In its latest report on August 29, the Penal Forum reported that in Venezuela there are a total of 1,780 political prisoners. Of this number, 1,581 of the arrests occurred in the context of the post-election protests that began on July 29.
The organization also stated in its report published on August 28 that of this total, 1,550 are men and 230 are women. As for ages, 1,666 are adults and 114 are adolescents.
As for the occupation of the detainees, 1,625 are civilians, while 156 are military personnel.
According to the graph published by the Penal Forum, of the total number of political prisoners, 1,631 have not been sentenced and 149 already have precautionary measures.
According to official figures, more than 2,400 people were arrested and 25 people were killed during the post-election protests, for which the government blames the opposition. However, international organizations, such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), have denounced the “arbitrary use of force” by the State.
Those arrested during protests are accused of terrorism
On August 5, the Penal Forum denounced that the “vast majority” of those arrested in Venezuela in protests against the result of the presidential elections issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE) are accused of “terrorism”.
The NGO detected a “clear pattern” in the arrests related to the accusation of crimes, which also include “incitement to hatred.”
Gonzalo Himiob, vice president of the Penal Forum, said that there is a “prequalification of crimes without even having investigated.”
Among those arrested are university students and teenagers who, according to several NGOs, They have been transferred to the Tocuyito Penitentiary Centerin Carabobo. The transfer of detained women to the National Institute for Female Guidance (INOF)located in Los Teques (Miranda).
With information from EFE
Related news
#Foro #Penal #denounces #transfer #detainees #protests #unknown #destination
2024-08-31 07:43:08
