In total, the data in its registry indicates that during the year there have been 264 attacks against human rights defenders, which supports the claim that there is a policy against civic space in the country.
The NGO Center for Defenders and Justice (CDJ) recorded 50 attacks and security incidents against human rights defenders during the month of July, according to the organization’s director, Marianna Romero.
These figures mark an increase compared to last month, since in June 43 acts of this type were recorded against human rights defenders.
According to Romero, it is a “hardening” in the criminalization of the defense of human rights in the country and that those who work in this area find an increasingly hostile and anti-democratic environment.
«The month of July reflected a resurgence in the criminalization of the right to defend, promote or demand human rights. These attacks show how the environment for the exercise of the defense of human rights is increasingly hostile and more adverse, to the extent in which the State continues deepening this policy and curtailing the civic and democratic space”, he denounced in declarations to EFE.
Of these 50 cases, 26 were situations of stigmatization, 10 of intimidation and harassment, nine of threats, there were two arbitrary arrests, two prosecutions and an attack against personal integrity.
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In total, the data in its registry indicates that during the year there have been 264 attacks against human rights defenders, which supports the claim that there is a policy against civic space in the country.
According to the NGO, state officials were primarily responsible for these attacks, especially in the case of acts of stigmatization. The most used means of attack was through communication platforms under the control of the Chavista government, related to the ruling party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
In this sense, the CDJ highlighted the role of human rights defenders in society and urged the Government to comply with the international agreements that the State has signed to guarantee human rights in the country.
“The State must fully comply with its international obligations to respect, protect and guarantee rights, including defending human rights and humanitarian action,” exalted Romero.
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