The vulnerability of political prisoners | By Carolina Jaimes Branger

Carolina Jaimes Branger

A TikTok video I saw a couple of days ago on the X network showed a woman absolutely desperate at the moment when members of the Bolivarian National Police took her daughter into custody, who had been a polling station witness in the elections of the 28th. According to her, the president of her communal council “had snitched on her.” And her overflowing anguish was no wonder…

On August 15, Gonzalo Himiob, vice president of the Penal Forum, She pointed out in an interview with Punto De Corte that it is very difficult to know the conditions they are in “since there is no access to the detainees, it is like an instruction not to allow lawyers other than public defenders… Although there are reports such as that of the state of Mérida, where detained women are being subjected to some forms of abuse, one of the serious irregularities is that (in most cases) there is no access to corroborate whether they are being victims of mistreatment.”

How is it possible that there is no possibility for detainees – even if they are guilty of what they are accused of – to have access to their defense attorneys? Why are they mistreated?

The situation of women political prisoners is an issue that raises deep concern in the field of human rights, and rightly so. First, because political prisoners have been imprisoned not for common crimes, but for reasons related to their political activism, opposition to the ruling regime, or for participating in social movements. According to Himiob, the charges against them are terrorism and incitement to hatred, disobedience to authority and treason.

Female political prisoners are particularly vulnerable to physical and psychological abuse in prisons, including sexual violence, from other inmates or prison staff. Furthermore, many prisons do not have adequate facilities to house women, resulting in unsanitary and degrading conditions. Lack of access to health services, especially related to reproductive health, is another critical aspect affecting them.

Gender inequality in many societies means that women already face significant challenges in terms of access to justice and protection of their rights. When these women are imprisoned, these inequalities are amplified, because being imprisoned for political reasons puts them in an even more vulnerable position. And this vulnerability of political prisoners is not just an individual problem, but has broader repercussions for society as a whole. The way these women are treated reflects a country’s values ​​and principles in terms of human rights and social justice. Do we want to continue to look in that mirror?

Female political prisoners are often mothers, sisters and daughters. Their imprisonment not only affects their well-being, but also impacts their families and communities. Children left without their mothers may experience emotional trauma and developmental problems, which in the long term definitely affects social cohesion and community well-being.

The situation of these women illustrates how political oppression intersects with gender inequality. I believe that addressing this vulnerability is essential, not only to protect them, but also to advance the broader struggle for gender equality. Women’s liberation and recognition of their rights are crucial steps in building more just and equitable societies.

The international community has exerted pressure through international organisations, NGOs and governments, but its efforts have been unsuccessful, as they have not contributed to improving either the conditions of imprisonment or respect for human rights.

The issue of women political prisoners deserves urgent attention and collective action. And it is not just about protecting a specific group, but about upholding fundamental principles of justice, equity and human dignity. To achieve substantial change, it is essential that all sectors of society – including government, human rights organizations, social movements and citizens – come together in a common effort. In doing so, we are not only protecting a group at risk, but also moving towards building more just, inclusive and equitable societies for the population as a whole. The fight for women’s freedom and rights is ultimately a fight for the freedom of all.

@cjaimesb