The repression of protests in Venezuela following the presidential elections on July 28 has been “brutal,” according to Human Rights Watch (HRW), an organization that has received “credible reports” of 24 murders and has been able to independently verify eleven of them.
The human rights organization said this in a document published in Bogotá in which it said it had been given “credible reports of 24 murders” in the context of protests, including a member of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB).
The human rights organization said it received the reports from independent local organizations, such as Foro Penal, Justicia Encuentro y Perdón, Monitor de Víctimas and Provea, or identified them on social media.
In this regard, he said that he documented 11 of these cases “independently” by reviewing death certificates, verifying videos and photographs, and also interviewing 20 people, including witnesses and other local sources.
“Many relatives, witnesses and others who could provide information about the cases did not want to be interviewed for fear of government reprisals,” he said.
Documents
HRW said that to compile these documents, it “analyzed and verified 39 videos and two photographs” of the protests found on various social networks or sent directly to investigators by people close to the victims, organizations and local journalists.
HRW researchers confirmed the “exact locations where these videos were filmed; they analyzed shadows, weather patterns and dates of uploads to social media to determine the time at which the events occurred.”
They also consulted with forensic pathologists and weapons experts, who analyzed the victims’ injuries and the weapons identified in the videos and photographs.
According to Venezuelan authorities, more than 2,400 people have been arrested in the protests, while Foro Penal, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides pro bono assistance to those arbitrarily detained, has recorded more than 1,580 “political prisoners” detained since July 29, including 114 teenagers.
In that regard, HRW says, prosecutors have charged hundreds of people using offences that are sometimes broadly defined and carry long sentences, such as “incitement to hatred”, “resisting authority” and “terrorism”.
HRW also said that Venezuelan authorities are violating the human rights of protesters, bystanders and opposition leaders following the July 28 elections, in which the National Electoral Council (CNE) declared victory to Nicolás Maduro, but the opposition claims victory.
Controversial statement
“The repression we are seeing in Venezuela is brutal,” said the director of HRW’s Americas Division, referring to protests carried out mainly by the opposition against the election results.
HRW has documented that Venezuelan authorities and pro-government armed civilians have “committed widespread abuses, including killings, arbitrary arrests and prosecutions, and harassment of government critics.”
On Monday, a judge ordered the arrest of opposition candidate Edmundo González after he was accused by the Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office of “inciting disobedience” and “conspiracy,” among other crimes.
The human rights organization recalled that despite the government’s “irregularities and human rights violations,” including arrests of opposition members, arbitrary disqualifications and restrictions on voting by Venezuelans abroad, a large number of Venezuelans voted on that election day.
Entity criticized the non-publication of minutes
Just hours after the polls closed, the CNE declared Maduro the winner with more than 51% of the votes, but HRW recalled that the Chavista-controlled body “has not made public the minutes of the election results.”
In this regard, HRW said, electoral experts from the United Nations (UN) and the Carter Center, who observed the elections, stated that the process lacked “transparency and integrity” and questioned the declared result, indicating instead that the voting records published by the opposition “are reliable.”
Bogota / EFE
#HRW #repression #Venezuela #brutal #elections
2024-09-07 23:34:10
Human rights in Venezuela
Table of Contents
The Brutal Repression of Protests in Venezuela: A Crisis of Human Rights
The recent presidential elections in Venezuela on July 28 have been marred by a brutal crackdown on protests, resulting in widespread human rights violations and a rising toll of deaths, arrests, and political prisoners. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the repression of protests has been “brutal,” with credible reports of 24 murders, 11 of which have been independently verified.
Protests Against Nicolás Maduro
The protests in Venezuela are not a new phenomenon. Since 2014, Venezuelans have been taking to the streets to demonstrate against the government of Nicolás Maduro, citing high levels of urban violence, corruption, and economic instability [[1]]. The latest wave of protests, however, has been triggered by the disputed presidential elections, which the opposition claims were rigged in favor of Maduro.
Human Rights Abuses
HRW has documented a pattern of human rights abuses, including killings, arbitrary arrests, and prosecutions, as well as harassment of government critics. The organization has received credible reports of 24 murders, including a member of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB). Despite the risks of government reprisals, HRW has verified 11 of these cases through death certificates, videos, photographs, and eyewitness testimonies.
Government Response
The Venezuelan authorities have responded to the protests with force, arresting over 2,400 people, according to official figures. Foro Penal, a non-governmental organization (NGO), has recorded more than 1,580 “political prisoners” detained since July 29, including 114 teenagers. Prosecutors have charged hundreds of people with broadly defined offences, such as “incitement to hatred,” “resisting authority,” and “terrorism,” which carry long sentences.
International Condemnation
The international community has condemned the Venezuelan government’s response to the protests, with HRW labeling it “brutal.” The organization has criticized the government’s “irregularities and human rights violations,” including arrests of opposition members, arbitrary disqualifications, and restrictions on voting by Venezuelans abroad.
Protests and Repression: A Cycle of Violence
The situation in Venezuela is dire, with protests and repression escalating into a cycle of violence. The latest protests have seen Venezuelans demonstrating at home and abroad, demanding electoral authorities publish the results of the presidential elections [[2]]. The government’s response has been characterized by a harsher repression, with security forces and pro-government armed civilians committing widespread abuses.
A Call to Action
The international community must condemn the Venezuelan government’s brutal repression of protests and demand respect for human rights. The UN, EU, and other regional organizations must take concrete steps to address the crisis, including sending observer missions to monitor the situation and providing humanitarian aid to those affected.
Conclusion
The repression of protests in Venezuela is a stark reminder of the urgent need for democratic reforms and respect for human rights. The international community must stand in solidarity with the Venezuelan people, who are demanding accountability, transparency, and justice. It is time for the Venezuelan government to listen to its citizens and address the root causes of the protests, rather than responding with brutal force.
References:
[1] <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProtestsagainstNicol%C3%A1s_Maduro”>Protests against Nicolás Maduro
[2] 2024 Venezuela election protests: harsher repression at home and more global reach than in 2019
Repression of Protests in Venezuela Following Presidential Elections: A Brutal Crackdown
The recent presidential elections in Venezuela on July 28 have been marred by a brutal crackdown on protests, with reports of widespread human rights violations, killings, and arbitrary arrests. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has received credible reports of 24 murders, with 11 cases independently verified through rigorous documentation and investigation [[1]]. The organization has accused Venezuelan forces of “brutal” repression in post-election protests, resulting in the deaths of 23 protesters following President Nicolás Maduro’s victory [[1]].
Pattern of Human Rights Violations
The HRW report documents a pattern of human rights violations, including killings, arbitrary arrests, and prosecutions, as well as harassment of government critics. Venezuelan authorities and pro-government armed civilians have committed widespread abuses, targeting protesters, bystanders, and opposition leaders [[1]]. The organization has criticized the Venezuelan government for its failure to implement humanitarian measures agreed upon in 2022 to address these issues, and for responding to protests demanding economic and social rights with brutal force [[2]].
Investigation and Evidence
HRW’s investigation relied on credible reports from independent local organizations, such as Foro Penal, Justicia Encuentro y Perdón, Monitor de Víctimas, and Provea, as well as social media and eyewitness accounts. The organization analyzed and verified 39 videos and two photographs of the protests, confirming the exact locations where the incidents occurred and consulting with forensic pathologists and weapons experts to analyze the victims’ injuries and weapons used [[1]].
Arrests and Prosecutions
According to Venezuelan authorities, over 2,400 people have been arrested in the protests, while Foro Penal has recorded more than 1,580 “political prisoners” detained since July 29, including 114 teenagers. Prosecutors have charged hundreds of people with offences that are sometimes broadly defined and carry long sentences, such as “incitement to hatred”, “resisting authority”, and “terrorism” [[1]].
Opposition Leader Arrested
On Monday, a judge ordered the arrest of opposition candidate Edmundo González, accused by the Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office of “inciting disobedience” and “conspiracy”, among other crimes [[1]]. This move has sparked widespread criticism and concern about the government’s attempts to silence opposition voices.
International Response
The international community has expressed concern about the human rights situation in Venezuela, with organizations like Amnesty International calling for the government to address these issues [[2]]. The Venezuelan government’s failure to implement humanitarian measures and respect human rights has led to increased tensions and instability in the country.
Ongoing Protests
Protests continue to take place across Venezuela, with opposition leader María Corina Machado joining thousands of demonstrators in the capital Caracas, demanding economic and social rights[[[3]]. The situation remains volatile, with reports of violence and human rights abuses persisting.
the repression of protests in Venezuela following the presidential elections has been brutal and widespread, with human rights organizations documenting numerous violations and abuses. The international community must continue to pressure the Venezuelan government to respect human rights and address the growing humanitarian crisis in the country.
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