The rapporteur of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) for Venezuela, Gloria De Mees, expressed to the Voice of America The organization’s concern about the increase in repression in the South American country called on the international community to be alert.
De Mees further stated that on January 10, the date the Venezuelan president will take office, It is a key day for the region.
His statements come at a critical moment for the nation, given that Nicolás Maduro has assured that he will be the one to do it and parliament has already sent him the invitation for the investiture. However, the opponent Edmundo González, exiled in Spain and who is on a tour of several countries, has stated that he will be the one to take office.
Maduro’s victory in the July 28 elections is questioned by the opposition and part of the international communitywhile the entire electoral process has been marked by retaliation against opponents throughout the country.
In interview with the Voice of Americathe commissioner in charge of dealing with Venezuela’s human rights issues from the organization in Washington, reiterated to the VOA that the full Commission has asked the Maduro government to “immediately cease all political persecution, repression and arbitrary detentions.”
Commissioner De Mees, a lawyer with extensive experience, was nominated by Suriname to be part of the seven members of the IACHR. She is an expert in Treaty Law and diplomacy. When he began his term in the Commission in January 2024, he took charge of the Rapporteurship for Venezuela.
This interview conducted in English has been translated and edited to make it easier to read.
VOA: Commissioner, What is the objective of the IACHR in presenting this new report on human rights in Venezuela at this time?
Commissioner Mees: With this report, the IACHR reiterates its unwavering commitment and solidarity with the Venezuelan people, and once again calls on the international community to recognize the seriousness of the human rights crisis in the country, remain vigilant in the face of a greater escalation of repression and implement all mechanisms. diplomatic and institutional resources available to facilitate the return to democracy.
VOA: What is the difference between the document presented this Tuesday and the Chapter IV report, prepared by the IACHR every year and published annually, where Venezuela has appeared on the main list in recent years?
Commissioner Mees: This report is a specific analysis of the serious human rights violations committed in Venezuela during the 2024 electoral process. It offers a comprehensive analysis of the political and human rights crisis in the country, as well as its impact on the population, which could persist if effective action is not taken.
On the other hand, Chapter IV.B has a broader scope within the annual report of the IACHR. Each year, the Commission decides whether or not to include a country in Chapter IV.B based on the criteria established in Article 59 of the Regulations. The 2024 Annual Report will be published in the coming months.
VOA: How does the IACHR monitor the violation of human rights in Venezuela and what can the Commission do when that country is disconnected from the OAS inter-American system?
Commissioner Mees: Throughout its 65 years of work, the Inter-American Commission has played a key role in helping the region overcome dictatorships, military coups and serious human rights violations. The situation in Venezuela is no exception.
In line with its mandate to stimulate awareness of human rights among the people of the Americas, the IACHR will continue to alert the international community about the human rights situation in Venezuela and will use all its protection mechanisms to assist those who need it. .
VOA: Regarding monitoring…
Commissioner Mees: The IACHR carries out continuous monitoring of open sources and maintains dialogue with civil society networks and multilateral organizations that operate in the country. He has spoken out publicly through press releases and interviews, as well as in this report.
VOA: What are your expectations about the human rights situation in Venezuela in the context of a new administration by Nicolás Maduro, who would assume his mandate on January 10?
Commissioner Mees: January 10 will be an important date for the Venezuelan people and the region. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and will continue to call on the State to urgently respect, protect and guarantee the human rights of all Venezuelans and return to a democratic order. To do this, it is necessary to activate all available means to resolve conflicts, prioritizing dialogue and negotiation.
The report published today by the IACHR strongly recommends the Venezuelan regime to immediately cease all political persecution, repression and arbitrary detentions, and to urgently release all people who have been detained without cause. It also calls on the regime to restore constitutional order and reconstruct the separation of powers and the independence of public powers.
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