In its most recent report to the Human Rights Council, the UN Mission documented the violent repression against the civilian population protesting after the presidential elections of July 28.
This Thursday, January 2, the UN Fact-Finding Mission urged the Venezuelan authorities to respect the rights to life, liberty and personal security of all Venezuelans and release all those who have been arbitrarily detained.
«We make a strong call to the authorities so that the rights to demonstrate and express themselves freely can be exercised without fear of possible reprisals. We remember that the security forces responsible for maintaining public order must behave with the strictest international standards regarding the use of force,” said Marta Valiñas, president of the Mission.
“All conduct that violates rights must be investigated promptly, exhaustively and impartially and judged by independent courts with full respect for due process.”
In its most recent report to the Human Rights Council, the UN Mission documented the violent repression against the civilian population protesting after the presidential elections on July 28.
Francisco Cox, an expert from the Mission, warned that the repressive apparatus remains fully operational. «Between August and December 2024, the authorities detained at least 56 opposition party activists, 10 journalists and a human rights defender. “Both those who order arbitrary detentions and the imposition of torture or other ill-treatment, as well as those who carry them out, are individually criminally responsible,” he said.
The UN Mission reiterated its demand that all arbitrarily detained persons be released and recalled the obligation of the State to provide special protection to detained persons with health problems, to older adults, as well as to seriously consider the interest of boys and girls who are still facing criminal proceedings.
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“People released from prison, including boys and girls, remain subject to precautionary measures and trials for serious crimes, such as terrorism or treason,” said Patricia Tappatá, an expert from the Mission.
“The persecution of opposition people or those whom the government considers as such, not only has not stopped, but has taken the form of a systematic attack on the freedom of those who think differently.” Finally, the UN Mission warned that, in accordance with its mandate, it is paying special attention to the events of the period before and after the presidential inauguration and that it will investigate cases of serious violations of human rights and crimes that could occur, within the framework of the State policy of silencing the opposition, already identified in its previous reports.
*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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