The Commission expresses its concern about the conditions of the political prisoners, urges the authorities to release them immediately and reiterates its willingness to visit Venezuela with the objective of directly evaluating the human rights situation.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expresses its “deep concern” about the United States attacks against Venezuela, during the early hours of January 3, and calls for respect for the rules of international law.
“Although the Commission has documented serious human rights violations, as well as the breakdown of the democratic order and the rule of law in the country prior to the United States operation, it reaffirms that any democratic restoration process must be carried out with full respect for international law,” it says in a statement published on January 13 on its website.
According to figures reported by the press, at least 75 people died after the United States attacks. However, the IACHR warns that these data are not officially confirmed.
This Tuesday, the Minister of the Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, reported that they have not yet been able to specify the number of deaths because “the explosions were so strong” that there are people whose whereabouts are unknown.
The IACHR highlights the progressive deterioration of the rule of law in Venezuela, particularly after allegations of fraud in the presidential elections of July 28, 2024 when it documented “25 deaths, more than 2,000 arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, censorship, political persecution and practices of state terrorism,” among other human rights violations by the Maduro administration in order to consolidate power.
*Read also: CNP reports increase in attacks and demands freedom of 21 press workers
Likewise, the Commission warns that, in a context of absence of the rule of law, closure of civic space and obstacles to freedom of expression, access to verifiable information continues to be restricted.
In this sense, it stands out that since January 3 they have received information about the detention of at least 14 journalists at border points and near the headquarters of the National Assembly in Caracas, as well as the patrolling of armed groups known as “colectivos” in various places, including spaces where the press was deployed.
He assures that the decree of the State of Foreign Commotion, published after the US attacks on Venezuela, significantly expands the participation of the armed forces in citizen security tasks and establishes severe restrictions on freedom of expression and democratic participation.
Likewise, the Commission expresses its concern about the conditions of political prisoners and urges the authorities to release them immediately. He reiterates his willingness to visit Venezuela with the objective of directly evaluating the human rights situation.
*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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