- The NGO urged the State to refrain from implementing the Law on Supervision, Regularization, Action and Financing of non-governmental organizations | Photo: Provide
The Observatory for the Defense of Life (Odevida) demanded that the State of Venezuela cease the “criminalization” against human rights organizations and activists so that they can “freely” carry out their activities in the country.
Through a report released by the Venezuelan non-governmental organization (NGO) Provea on October 23, the observatory indicated that the State must claim the autonomy of social organizations and eliminate “restrictions and obstacles” so that citizens can create and participate in groups that they consider convenient for the promotion and defense of their interests and rights established in the Constitution.
Likewise, he asked the Executive to refrain from implementing the Law on Supervision, Regularization, Performance and Financing of NGOs and Related Organizations – approved in August 2024 by Parliament – because, in his opinion, it represents a threat to the work of protecting human rights and humanitarian aid in the country.
Arrests of human rights activist in Venezuela
Odevida explained that, in 2024, six human rights activists were arbitrarily detained and are being subjected to judicial processes “violating the right to due process”, accused of crimes such as treason, conspiracy, criminal association, terrorism and incitement. to hate.
“Human rights defenders have never been detained in Venezuela, which is undoubtedly a warning sign for the national and international community,” the organization noted.
Likewise, the observatory highlighted that threats, intimidation and harassment against human rights organizations and defenders have increased in the country.
He also denounced that after the presidential elections on July 28, a total of 20 cases of “passport annulment” of activists were documented, which he considers a “pattern of repression.”
More than 40 passports canceled
Odevida’s complaint coincides with the report of the NGO Peace Laboratory, which assured that the government of Nicolás Maduro annulled the passports of at least 40 journalists and human rights activists after the presidential elections of July 28.
However, the organization assured that the number could be even higher, due to the fear that people feel about reporting.
“Unlike murder or torture, which have a greater political cost, the government has discovered that canceling passports is an effective way to neutralize and silence critical voices with minimal effort,” explained the co-director of the Peace Laboratory, Rafael Uzcátegui, in an interview with the British media Financial Times on October 13.
The complaints about passport cancellation became known through social networks at the beginning of August. According to the NGO Aula Abierta, this government practice, in their opinion, is a “tool of harassment.”
“The government of Nicolás Maduro has adopted and perpetuated a series of repressive practices that seriously limit fundamental freedoms in Venezuela. Among the repressive measures implemented is the arbitrary retention of passports, a measure used as a tool of harassment,” he said in a publication on his website on August 7.
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