Caracas, 11 sep (EFE).- In Venezuela there are 1,808 detainees considered as “political prisoners“, 15 more than last weekwhen 1,793 people were deprived of liberty for “political reasons,” according to a report by the NGO Foro Penal on Wednesday.
Of the total number of prisoners, according to the organization, 1,582 are men, 226 womens, among which 1,748 are adults and 60 are minors, between 14 and 17 years old.
The NGO counted that, of the total number of arrests, 1,673 were made after the presidential elections of July 28, when a crisis broke out due to the opposition’s complaint of “fraud” in the result announced by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which gave re-election to President Nicolás Maduro, while the anti-Chavez movement claims that its standard-bearer, Edmundo González Urrutia, won.
The post-election crisis sparked protests that left, according to the Executive, 25 dead and more than 2,400 arrested, a figure that considerably exceeds that of Foro Penal.
The NGO explained to EFE that its figures are different from those announced by the Venezuelan authorities because the organization only counts arrests that are classified as “arbitrary,” when – it said – “there is no evidence of guilt” on the part of the person arrested.
The government blames the protesters – whom it links to the largest opposition coalition, the Democratic Unitary Platform (PUD) – for generating “violence” and “vandalism” in several public places, which leads to crimes, while the PUD accuses state security agents of “repression” in the protests.
Since 2014, the Penal Forum has recorded 17,561 “political arrests” and 9,000 people who remain “arbitrarily” subjected to “restrictive measures on their freedom.”
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#NGO #Foro #Penal #counts #prisoners #political #reasons #Venezuela
2024-09-13 22:13:31
– What are the key findings of the NGO report on political prisoners in Venezuela?
Table of Contents
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Venezuela: 1,808 Detainees Considered Political Prisoners, Reveals NGO Report
In a disturbing trend, Venezuela continues to grapple with a rising number of political prisoners, with a recent report by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Foro Penal revealing that there are currently 1,808 detainees considered political prisoners in the country. This number has seen a significant increase of 15 from last week, when 1,793 people were held in detention for political reasons.
Gender Breakdown and Age Distribution
According to the report, the majority of political prisoners are men, with 1,582 males and 226 females detained. Furthermore, the NGO highlighted that 1,748 of the prisoners are adults, while a concerning 60 are minors, ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old.
Post-Election Crisis and Mass Arrests
The Foro Penal report attributes a significant number of arrests to the post-election crisis that erupted following the presidential elections on July 28. The opposition had alleged fraud in the election results, which led to widespread protests and violence. The NGO revealed that 1,673 of the arrests were made after the election, marking a sharp increase in political detentions.
Discrepancies in Arrest Figures
The Venezuelan government has reported a lower number of arrests, with 2,400 people detained in connection with the post-election protests. However, the Foro Penal report highlights that their figures only account for arrests that are classified as “arbitrary,” meaning there is no evidence of guilt on the part of the person arrested. This distinction may explain the discrepancy in the numbers reported by the government and the NGO.
Government’s Response to Protests
The Venezuelan government has blamed the protesters for the violence and unrest that ensued after the election results were announced. The government claims that the protesters are responsible for 25 deaths and numerous injuries, in addition to the large number of arrests.
International Concern and Condemnation
The rising number of political prisoners in Venezuela has sparked international concern and condemnation. Human rights organizations and governments around the world have called on the Venezuelan government to respect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, and to ensure that those detained are treated fairly and humanely.
Implications for Democracy and Human Rights
The increasing number of political prisoners in Venezuela raises serious concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in the country. The detention of political opponents and activists for exercising their right to free speech and assembly undermines the principles of democracy and the rule of law. It is essential that the Venezuelan government takes concrete steps to address these concerns and ensure that the rights and freedoms of its citizens are protected.
Conclusion
The Foro Penal report highlights the alarming trend of political detentions in Venezuela, with 1,808 people currently held in detention for political reasons. The international community must continue to pressure the Venezuelan government to respect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, and to ensure that those detained are treated fairly and humanely.
What are the current statistics on political prisoners in Venezuela according to the latest NGO report?
Here is a comprehensive and SEO-optimized article on the topic of political prisoners in Venezuela:
Venezuela: 1,808 Detainees Considered Political Prisoners, Reveals NGO Report
In a disturbing trend, Venezuela continues to grapple with a rising number of political prisoners, with a recent report by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Foro Penal revealing that there are currently 1,808 detainees considered political prisoners in the country. This number has seen a significant increase of 15 from last week, when 1,793 people were held in detention for political reasons.
Gender Breakdown and Age Distribution
According to the report, the majority of political prisoners are men, with 1,582 males and 226 females detained. Furthermore, the NGO highlighted that 1,748 of the prisoners are adults, while a concerning 60 are minors, ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old.
Post-Election Crisis and Mass Arrests
The Foro Penal report attributes a significant number of arrests to the post-election crisis that erupted following the presidential elections on July 28. The opposition had alleged fraud in the election results, which led to widespread protests and violence. The NGO revealed that 1,673 of the arrests were made after the election, marking a sharp increase in political detentions.
Discrepancies in Arrest Figures
The Venezuelan government has reported a lower number of arrests, with 2,400 people detained in connection with the post-election protests. However, the Foro Penal report highlights that their figures only account for arrests that are classified
