On October 30, I read a message on Several times, screams rose through the void of the building. She called the police, on the 2nd visit, they discovered that the child was being abused by the stepfather. Since then, I don’t care if at some point I make someone uncomfortable, I always apply the same thing as my mother: if I hear a child screaming desperately, (even an animal crying), I call the police. “I prefer to look like a fool, rather than look like the person who could have done something in the face of a misfortune and didn’t do it.” Wise words. I remembered my dad who, since I was little, instilled in me that “whenever I was faced with injustice, I would raise my voice, even if I was the only one doing so.”
Today I raise it again for the political prisoners. And this time, in particular, for the detained minors. There are disabled people among them, including a young man with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). The consequences of these arrests will last forever, especially for him, who does not have the cognitive or emotional tools to understand what is happening to him.
I read that parents waiting outside the prisons hear cries for help. They are probably being tortured to get their signatures on false confessions. Torture is always a serious violation of human rights. But when the victims are children, the impact is even more devastating. Regimes that resort to the torture of minors violate fundamental principles of dignity and humanity that leave deep and lasting scars on victims: irreparable damage to their mental and emotional health, affecting their ability to lead full and productive lives.
The use of torture against children is the most vile and dark part of the strategies of repression and social control, which are designed to sow fear and stifle dissent. These practices are condemned by international organizations such as the United Nations, through the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention against Torture, (both signed and ratified by the Venezuelan state), but these efforts are of little use when it comes to regimes like ours, which decided to kick the table and flee forward, taking whatever and whatever, in order to remain in power.
Cynical, to say the least, are the statements of Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil, who was recently in Cali. When questioned insistently by the national and international press about the repeated complaints of human rights violations of detainees, including adolescents, and for purely political reasons, the chancellor responded that “in Venezuela there is a rule of law that works, that works with institutions that function harmoniously such as the Prosecutor’s Office, the Ombudsman’s Office and other justice bodies. I invite you to go to Venezuela, see the peace and growth that we are achieving.”
“Rule of law”, “harmony”, “peace”, “growth”. None of this is possible if torture persists, even less so if those tortured are minors. All institutions of the Venezuelan regime are complicit if they do nothing to eradicate such violations. I hope that their children – as innocent as those who are tortured today – can always grow up in a safe environment that respects their fundamental rights.
@cjaimesb
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#Tortured #children #inhumane #country #Carolina #Jaimes #Branger
**Interview with Child Welfare Advocate, Maria Sandoval**
*Interviewer*: Thank you for joining us today, Maria. One of the most disturbing trends we’ve seen in recent years is the treatment of children in various political contexts, particularly regarding human rights violations. Your recent comments on this topic were both powerful and alarming. Can you elaborate on what you’ve witnessed?
*Maria Sandoval*: Thank you for having me. What we’re seeing is an alarming undercurrent of abuse directed towards minors, especially in politically charged environments. Children, particularly those with disabilities like Autism Spectrum Disorder, are incredibly vulnerable. When political unrest leads to their detention, the repercussions are often dire, both physically and emotionally.
*Interviewer*: You mentioned the cries for help heard by parents outside prisons. Are you suggesting that these minors might be subject to torture?
*Maria Sandoval*: Absolutely. Reports indicate that some minors are being tortured to extract false confessions. This kind of treatment not only violates their basic human rights but also inflicts profound psychological harm. Unlike adults, children are still developing, and exposure to such trauma can have irreversible effects on their mental health and overall development.
*Interviewer*: It’s heartbreaking to think about. You shared a very personal philosophy regarding intervening when you hear a child in distress. Can you tell us more about that?
*Maria Sandoval*: Certainly. My mother always taught me that when you hear someone, especially a child, in distress, it’s our duty to intervene, even if it might feel uncomfortable. The fear of being wrong should never outweigh the possibility of saving a life. Those words have stayed with me, and I feel compelled to raise my voice for those who can’t, particularly for those political prisoners who are minors.
*Interviewer*: Your passion is evident, Maria. What do you believe needs to change to protect these vulnerable individuals?
*Maria Sandoval*: We need comprehensive reforms in how we treat minors within the justice system, especially in oppressive regimes. Advocacy for stronger protections and oversight is crucial. We also need to create platforms where children can speak up and receive support without fear of retribution. Lastly, raising awareness about the psychological and emotional impacts of such violations is key to ensuring that these injustices are recognized and addressed.
*Interviewer*: Thank you for sharing these insights, Maria. It’s crucial that we continue to shine a light on these issues, especially when it comes to safeguarding our children.
*Maria Sandoval*: Thank you for having me, and for your commitment to this important conversation. It’s vital that we keep the focus on protecting the most vulnerable among us.
