The Casla Institute pointed out that for months the inhuman and degrading conditions inside Fort Guaicaipuro have been reported, with physical and psychological torture that has deteriorated the condition of all those detained there, such as beatings, prolonged isolation, provision of food in a state of decomposition, among other “practices.”
Two human rights organizations requested international assistance for the political prisoners held in the Central National Center for Military Proceedings (Cenapromil), better known as Fort Guaicaipuro.
The Casla Institute and Peace Laboratory requested international assistance and action, particularly from the International Red Cross, to independently evaluate the physical and mental health of the detainees in this military prison.
In a statementthe Institute pointed out that for months the inhuman and degrading conditions inside this prison have been reported, with physical and psychological torture that has deteriorated the condition of all the detainees in the place, such as beatings, prolonged isolation, provision of food in a state of decomposition, among other “practices.”
«Silence and inaction in the face of these complaints could translate into irreparable consequences. The international community today has the responsibility to act to avoid a greater tragedy,” stated the organization, which called for the immediate release of all political prisoners and their urgent transfer to hospital centers.
The Peace Laboratory expressly referred to the situation of the 32 convicted of Operation Gedeón (2020). His relatives reported that during a visit, after 6 months of forced disappearance, they were able to observe severe signs of malnutrition, physical weakness, disorientation and psychological affectation, associated with the conditions of confinement.
«We remember that the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” prohibits torture and cruel treatment. “Deprivation of adequate food, medical care or family contact may constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and compromise the international responsibility of the State,” the Peace Laboratory noted.
Likewise, they joined the call made to the Venezuelan authorities, as well as to the tutelage of the United States, represented by the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, for an urgent and independent medical evaluation to be carried out, which includes specialists in nutrition and mental health.
Failing that, the NGO highlighted, that guarantees be offered “of regular access to family members with sufficient and adequate food for their nutrition,” as well as “periodic family visits without intimidating surveillance” and their immediate transfer to their place of origin in Caracas.
They also requested that the case of the “Gideons” be considered “urgently for immediate freedom for humanitarian reasons and due to the serious damage to prolonged physical and mental integrity and the high risk to life of continuing under their captors.”
“There can be no transition, coexistence, and reconciliation as long as torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and persecution for political reasons continue to be applied in the country and those responsible remain in custody of the most vulnerable, the political prisoners and missing persons in Venezuela,” stated the Peace Laboratory.
*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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