The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) of Venezuela requested this Monday that the future amnesty law recognize the persecution against journalists and demanded that the State make an “express” commitment so that “never again” will criminal law be used against the practice of journalism. Parliament plans to approve the law this week.
At a press conference, the general secretary of the SNTP, Marco Ruiz, explained that the union presented a proposal to the Legislature so that it “recognizes the systematic and uninterrupted persecution of recent years, including judicial persecution for the exercise of freedom of expression.” The project also incorporates, he said, “elements related to digital persecution and the use of technologies, messaging and social networks to harass those who have critical opinions.”
“It is a project that grants amnesty to people who have been persecuted for the exercise of freedom of expression,” said Ruiz.
59 journalists prosecuted
The union leader specified that in Venezuela there are 59 journalists prosecuted. Of them, 4 remain behind bars, 2 under house arrest and at least 20 are in exile “as a direct consequence of the persecution.”
This figure, he warned, does not include the dozens of journalists who have left the country because their “passports have been annulled or they have alerts in the police investigation system without even knowing the existence of a case against them.”
The SNTP highlighted that its proposal incorporates protection mechanisms against “fabricated” crimes.
The amnesty law, which seeks to cover cases of political prisoners from the last 27 years – a period that coincides with the Chavismo government – was proposed by the president in charge, Delcy Rodriguez.
The project has already passed the first of the two necessary parliamentary debates and is in a consultation phase with sectors of civil society, prior to its final approval.
