The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners assured that this “is not an isolated event” within the El Rodeo I prison, as they have already recorded situations of “punishment” where political prisoners are subjected to “periods of isolation that extend between one and four months”, as well as denial of food, drinking water and access to medical care.
The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (Clippve) denounced that four detainees for political reasons in the El Rodeo I prison, located in the state of Miranda, have been subjected for 11 days to various punishments that they described as “torture.”
In a statementbroadcast on social networks, the Committee denounced that Henryberth Rivas, Captain Antonio Sequea, Juan Carlos Monasterios and Rafael Castro are held on the 4th floor of the prison, totally isolated from the rest of the prisoners, “handcuffed 24 hours a day and without access to parcels, which includes essential medications to control their health.”
The organization pointed out that the authorities of the Ministry of Penitentiary Service, which is in charge of this prison, refuse to provide information about the reason or the duration of the “punishment.” Furthermore, it was stated that “the officials in charge of caring for the relatives claim to have ‘no information’, perpetuating opacity and impunity.”
The Committee highlighted that these actions violate the Constitution and all international agreements on the matter. He recalled that this “is not an isolated event”, since they have already recorded situations of “punishment” where political prisoners are subjected to “periods of isolation that extend between one and four months.”
During that time, the NGO stated, their food and access to drinking water were also restricted, “setting up a systematic practice of physical and psychological torture.”
The Committee demanded that the Venezuelan State stop the isolation and torture of these four political prisoners, and guarantee them access to medical care, medication, adequate food and communication with their families.
In addition, they requested an end to these “prolonged punishments” and any practice of torture or ill-treatment in Venezuelan prisons, as well as an “independent and impartial investigation” to determine the officials involved and their responsibilities in these human rights violations.
“We alert the international community and the United Nations bodies about this fact that shows a serious and sustained violation of human rights in Venezuela, while we request an urgent statement to protect the life, physical and psychological integrity of the affected people,” it was stressed.
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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