- The panel of experts noted that Venezuelan authorities have created “a climate of widespread fear” since the presidential elections on July 28.
The United Nations (UN) Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela published a statement on Monday, August 12, to demand that the government of Nicolás Maduro “immediately stop the growing repression that is shaking the country” following the presidential elections July 28th.
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 in the context of 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, president of the Mission.
In the statement It is concluded that, preliminarily, at least 1,260 people have been arrested since July 28, including 160 women. Most of the arrests took place in the Capital District (18%), followed by the states of Carabobo (16%) and Anzoátegui (9%). The Mission alleges that the data announced by the Public Prosecutor’s Office “raise the figure to 2,200 people” and that they are being “indiscriminately classified as terrorists.”
The experts pointed out that the “vast majority” of arrests occurred when they “expressed their rejection of the result of the presidential election announced by the authorities” or “after participating in protests or expressing their opinions on social media.” The Mission stressed that arbitrary detentions represent “serious violations of due process.”
The agency also received “particularly worrying” information about the arrests of more than 100 children and adolescents, who have been charged with “the same serious crimes as adults.”
“All those arbitrarily detained must be released immediately. The authorities must fully respect international standards on due process and conditions of detention, using formal channels to communicate with relatives,” said Patricia Tappatá, an expert with the Mission.
Fact-Finding Mission warns of human rights violations in protests in Venezuela
On July 31, the Mission issued a statement to denounce the pattern of violence recorded in protests against election results, which have resulted in the deaths of citizens, without any official data on the matter.
In the text, the organization warned that thousands of people took to the streets to express their disagreement over the resultsfor which they received “credible information” about “arrests, injuries and deaths, as well as violence deployed by security forces and groups of armed civilians supporting the government (known as colectivos)” during the protests.
The panel of experts also referred to the “collectives,” who have been reported to have fired gunshots at protesters.
Marta Valiñas, president of the Mission, called on the Venezuelan State to follow international human rights standards and norms, which establish the proportionate use of force and the protection of human life.
More than 1,300 arrests in Venezuela since July 29
The non-governmental organization (NGO) Foro Penal reported that it was able to verify that 1.303 personas They were detained in Venezuela from July 29 to August 11, when protests against the results of the presidential elections issued by the National Electoral Council (CNE) began.
According to the information, the states where there were most arrests were Carabobo, Distrito Capital and Anzoátegui. Of the total number, there are 116 adolescents (between 14 and 17 years of age), in addition, the arrest of 16 people with disabilities and 14 indigenous people was confirmed.
Records also claim that at least 11 people have died in the context of the anti-government protests.
Foro Penal explained that it has activated a team of defenders to provide assistance to families and victims. It also published again the telephone numbers 0412-556 8211 and 0412-556 8212 to receive reports of arbitrary detentions.
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2024-08-12 23:21:46