The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights (DDHH), Volker Türk, offered a press conference this Saturday, after fulfilling a work agenda in the country.
In statements offered to the media, Türk recognized the impact of the sanctions promoted by the United States (USA) government to try to solve the economic and social situation that is taking place in the country.
“Although the roots of the economic crisis in Venezuela predate the application of economic sanctions, it is evident that the sectoral sanctions imposed in 2017 have aggravated the economic crisis and have hindered human rights,” said the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In this sense, he pointed out that – from the Office of the UN High Commissioner – it is requested that the sectoral sanctions be eliminated.
“My office has once again recommended that member states suspend measures that affect human rights and we ask for it with coercive measures imposed on other countries,” he stressed.
This, after talking with members of civil society and with some UN agents, who emphasized that – after the application of sanctions – it became difficult to acquire food and medicine, especially affecting the most vulnerable sectors.
“I have heard from people, including UN agents, about the impact of sectoral sanctions on the most vulnerable segments of the population and the problems that sanctions create for the recovery of the body and its development in this part,” he added.
On the other hand, he reiterated his support for the national dialogue that is carried out between the National Government and the different sectors of the opposition. Likewise, he welcomed the agreements signed in Mexico last September.
“Constructive dialogue can be a way to overcome obstacles,” he pointed out.
Meetings of the High Commissioner with all sectors
During the press conference, the High Commissioner for Human Rights thanked the invitation made by the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro; to visit the country.
During his stay – he explained – he held different meetings with government authorities, among them with the head of state.
He also held meetings with the Executive Vice President of the Republic, Delcy Rodríguez, where the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding was signed, which has been in place with the Office since 2019.
He also met with the president of the National Assembly (AN), Jorge Rodriguezwith the Minister for Foreign Relations, Yván Gil, with the Minister for Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, with the Attorney General of the Republic, Tarek William Saabamong others.
In addition, he detailed; He held a meeting with representatives of the Catholic Church, civil society, as well as members of the Unitary Platform, the most radical sector of the opposition.
