- The NGO stressed that humanitarian and international work must continue in the country due to reports of human rights violations.
The non-governmental organization (NGO) Venezuelan Program for Education Action in Human Rights (Provea) issued a statement on September 2 to request that the work of the United Nations (UN) Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela be renewed, as its mandate expires in September 2024.
“His work has been key to denouncing chains of command, judicial control, torture centers, the Mining Arc and more. His mandate is more necessary than ever because the repression in Venezuela continues,” Provea wrote on his official X account (Twitter).
The NGO stated that the UN Human Rights Council should renew the mission due to the allegations of human rights violations that, in its opinion, continue to occur in the country. In addition, they warned that civil society is at risk due to the approval of an “Anti-NGO Law by the National Assembly.”
“The Mission must be renewed by the victims, for the truth, for memory and for justice,” the statement concludes.
Statements by the UN Mission on the situation in Venezuela
On August 22, the UN Mission warned about the “lack of independence and impartiality” of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) and the National Electoral Council (CNE) in Venezuela.
The organization denounced that both institutions have played a role “within the repressive machinery of the State.”
“The government exerts undue interference in decisions of the TSJ through direct messages to judges and public statements by President Nicolás Maduro and Diosdado Cabello,” said Marta Valiñas, president of the mission.
On August 12, the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela published a statement to demand that the government of Nicolás Maduro “immediately stop the growing repression which is shaking the country” following the presidential elections on July 28.
The organization described that “the protests in the streets and on social media in the weeks following the elections gave way to fierce repression by the State machinery.” In the text, the Mission noted that these actions ordered “from its highest authorities” have “created a climate of widespread fear.”
The panel of experts also warned that it has a record of 23 deaths in the context of post-election protests and warned that the vast majority of the victims suffered “gunshot wounds, which took place between July 28 and August 8.”
In 18 cases, the victims were men under 30 years of age. “The deaths reported during the protests must be thoroughly investigated and, if abusive use of lethal force by security forces and the involvement of armed civilians acting with the connivance of these forces is confirmed, those responsible must be held accountable. The victims and their families must obtain justice,” said Marta Valiñas.
Experts said the “vast majority” of arrests occurred when they “expressed their rejection of the presidential election results announced by the authorities” or “after participating in protests or expressing their opinions on social media.”
Penal Forum reported 1,780 political prisoners in Venezuela
The NGO Foro Penal 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 more than 100 are adolescents. Of this number, a total of 86 releases have been reported with precautionary measures, so it is not a release.
As for the occupation of the detainees, 1,625 are civilians, while 156 are military personnel.
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.
Foro Penal also denounced that the “vast majority” of those arrested in Venezuela in protests 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.”
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2024-09-02 17:16:12
