Venezuela: The High Commissioner for Human Rights calls for the release of those arbitrarily detained

He High Commissioner for Human Rights This Friday, he urged the Venezuelan authorities to release all those arbitrarily detained, both before and after the presidential elections last July.

“This includes human rights defenders, such as Javier Tarazona and Rocío San Miguel, and humanitarian workers,” he said. Volker Turk before him Human Rights Council in his latest update on the situation in the country.

28 uninvestigated homicides

The High Commissioner again referred to the disproportionate use of force and violence during the post-election protests in July and August, including by armed civilians supporting the government.

In this sense, he requested that a “rapid and effective” investigation be carried out at least 28 homicides that, according to reports, included protesters, bystanders and members of the armed forces.

Furthermore, Türk referred to the “continued use” of anti-terrorism legislation against protesters, including teenagers, and reports of forced disappearances and mistreatment.

According to Venezuelan authorities, some 2,000 people have been detained since the elections. “I am concerned that many of these people have been arbitrarily detained, including adolescents and young adults, members of the opposition, human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers, as well as bystanders,” Türk said.

The authorities announced the initial release, with conditions, of more than a hundred people. “Since then they have announced new releases. This is an important step,” said the High Commissioner, encouraging authorities to review the cases of those still detained.

Fair trial guarantees

The person most responsible for ensuring fundamental rights also urged the authorities to offer guarantees of a fair trial to those detained.

In addition, he asked that detention conditions conform to international standards. “Authorities must provide adequate food, clean water and medical care to all detaineesmany of whom are held in overcrowded cells and urgently need medical attention,” he said in this regard.

The High Commissioner reported that his Office has begun to resume operations in the country in recent weeks, whose staff were expelled from the country in February 2024. “My hope is that we can regain our full presence,” he added.

Restricted civic space

On the other hand, Türk affirmed that civic space in Venezuela “continues to be restricted,” and referred to threats and harassment directed at human rights defenders, union leaders, journalists, members of the opposition, humanitarian workers and personnel who He works at the polling stations.

As many have left Venezuela, he encouraged states in the region to ensure their international protection and adopt “a flexible approach” in relation to expired identity documents.

At least three non-governmental organizations have reportedly ceased activities amid reports of surveillance, persecution and acts of retaliation, such as targeted detentions and cancellation of passports.

“This contributes to creating a climate of fear and social tension and prevents civil society organizations from carrying out their vital work,” said Türk, who also referred to restrictive legislation such as the Simón Bolívar Law and the NGO Law. “These new laws risk violating the exercise of fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, association and political participation.”.

In this sense, the High Commissioner pointed out that it is essential that the authorities take urgent measures to guarantee an open and inclusive civic space. “This is important for any society, and especially in Venezuela given the inauguration in January and the elections scheduled for next year,” he added.

In addition, he referred to the six people who are in the premises of the Argentine embassy, ​​ensuring that they are willing “to support all efforts to find a solution.”

Volker Türk indicated that political negotiations between the different interested parties are “urgently” needed to agree on a “viable path.” “I ask that all electoral processes be transparent, inclusive, peaceful and fully in line with international human rights standards,” he said.

Obstacles to food, education, health and decent work

The High Commissioner indicated that Venezuelans face serious obstacles to accessing food, education, health care and decent work, including a living wage.

“Wages remain extremely low despite the 8.5% increase in Gross Domestic Product recorded last year. “Marginalized and isolated communities are disproportionately affected by the lack of basic services.”

Although he referred to the recent announcement of measures to improve working conditions for teachers as “a step forward,” he expressed concern about reports of arbitrary suspension of teachers’ salaries, unjustified dismissal of workers and forced retirement of union leaders, including for their political opinions.

Illegal mining

Türk indicated that Some indigenous communities also face the impact of illegal mining on their territory..

“I am alarmed by the news about the murder of an indigenous guardian who participated in protecting the territory against mining. “I ask that a transparent investigation be carried out on this homicide, and on the homicide of the defender of the rights of indigenous peoples, Virgilio Trujillo, two years ago,” he said in this regard.

Finally, Türk reiterated that sectoral sanctions have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerableand also affect the work of some human rights and humanitarian organizations. “It is necessary to reevaluate and lift them,” he asserted.

“Society needs to heal, overcome divisions and polarization, and engage in inclusive dialogue as a top priority,” he concluded.

Press information

Next, the Venezuelan ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva told the High Commissioner that the tenor of his intervention, just at that moment, when “they are just taking the first steps” to reactivate cooperation with his Office, “in nothing contributes to this process.”

“Coming here again to present press information, social networks and interested narratives from sectors of the fascist opposition of Venezuela, supported and financed by the United States and the European Union, compromise the objectivity and impartiality and independence of the work of his Office,” said Alexander Yánez.

He also said that they reject how the Office of the High Commissioner shows concern about the Simón Bolívar laws and the NGO Law “without any knowledge.” “Both laws reinforce the protection of sovereignty, the right to self-determination and the duty of all Venezuelans to honor and defend the country,” he said in this regard.