- The balance of the NGO is until November 8, 2024
The non-governmental organization (NGO) Foro Penal reported that there are a total of 1,963 political prisoners as of November 8 in Venezuela. Of this number, there are men who were arrested in the context of the post-election protests since July 29.
The NGO published the updated numbers in its X account and warned that, of this figure, 1,801 are civilians and 162 are military. The report image also indicates that 1,810 people are still awaiting sentencing.
The criminal forum indicated that the number of citizens arrested in Venezuela for political reasons from 2014 to date is 17,952. Likewise, according to the organization’s figures, more than 9,000 people are still arbitrarily subject to measures restricting their freedom.
The organization denounced on August 23 that Venezuela had the highest number of political prisoners in the history of Venezuela, “at least in the 21st century.” with a total of 1,674 political prisoners.
Among those detained are political leaders, press workers, soldiers, civilians, adolescents, lawyers and human rights activists or defenders.
The organization’s lawyers have denounced that the majority of these political prisoners are accused of the crime of terrorism, a measure that has also been attributed to the adolescents, who, according to Foro Penal, are between 14 and 17 years old. .
They denounced that teenagers detained after 28J are being pressured to admit acts that they have not committed
The non-governmental organization (NGO) Justice, Encounter and Forgiveness (JEP Venezuela) warned on Friday, September 27, that the adolescents detained in Valencia, Carabobo state, in the days after the presidential elections of July 28 would be being pressured to admit acts that “they have not committed.”
“We warn that any statement obtained under duress is void of any nullity. It is important to remember that these young people have not had access to trusted defenders to represent them in judicial processes that have clearly violated due process,” the NGO wrote on X (Twitter).
JEP Venezuela also reported that the detainees have been victims of “threats and harassment” and “psychological shocks” that have led them to develop “stress episodes and panic attacks.”
The NGO pointed out that the situation worries their families, which is why they urged the authorities of the justice system to prevent further abuses and violations of the dignity of adolescents.
They demanded respect for the right to education of adolescents detained in post-election protests in Venezuela
The Venezuelan Prisons Observatory (OVP) issued a statement on November 6 in which it expressed concern for the adolescents and children who were detained and who cannot resume their educational activities.
Humberto Prado, director of the OVP, explained that children and adolescents in prison have the right to education and it is the obligation of the Venezuelan State to make every effort possible to provide this care to those deprived of liberty.
“The State’s duty is to fully provide care to adolescents arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, given that everything is enshrined in national and international standards. And it must also comply with this differentiated treatment of adolescents in this totally arbitrary and illegal process,” Prado said.
Complaints about human rights violations
The Venezuelan Prisons Observatory has repeatedly denounced that those detained during the post-election protests did not receive physical and psychological medical checkups.
They also warned that the authorities keep them isolated and do not allow them to communicate with their families or private lawyers.
“There are many family members who have traveled miles away, despite the economic cost this implies in a country plagued by inflation, and in none of the aforementioned prisons is there a list of those transferred. There is no one who can give them information about the whereabouts of their relative, or when the visiting days will be and under what conditions it will be,” the organization detailed on its social networks.
Likewise, the NGO emphasized its concern about the irregular transfer of the detainees, because the relatives were not properly notified and found out about the relocation when food was brought to them at the penitentiary center.
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#Penal #Forum #reported #political #prisoners #Venezuela
The article highlights serious concerns regarding the treatment of teenagers detained following the protests that erupted after the Venezuelan presidential elections on July 28. The non-governmental organization Justice, Encounter and Forgiveness (JEP Venezuela) reported that these adolescents are being subjected to pressure and intimidation methods to force them into admitting acts they did not commit.
JEP Venezuela emphasized that any statements obtained under such duress lack legal validity and noted that the detainees have not had access to reliable legal defense. Furthermore, the organization pointed out that these young people have suffered from threats, harassment, and severe psychological distress, resulting in stress episodes and panic attacks.
In addition to these reports, Humberto Prado of the Venezuelan Prisons Observatory (OVP) raised alarms about the rights of the detained minors, particularly their right to education, which has been compromised during their time in custody. Prado underscored the state’s obligation to adhere to national and international standards of care and protection for children and adolescents in detention, highlighting that the current situations represent a violation of due process and the dignity of the youths involved.
these developments reflect ongoing human rights violations in the context of politically motivated detentions in Venezuela, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like children and teenagers.