The resignation of Attorney General, Tarek William Saaband the ombudsman, Alfredo Ruiz, opened a “determining institutional situation for the Venezuelan justice system,” according to a statement issued this Thursday by 15 civil society organizations.
In the statement, signed by CAMPO, Human Kaleidoscope, Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (Clippve), Human Rights in Action, Human Rights of Venezuela in Movement, Let’s Shout With Vigor, Ideas for Democracy, Us for All, La República TV, La TV Calle, Global Observatory of Communication and Democracy, Probox Digital Observatory, Laboratory of Peace and Transparency Venezuela; They assure that “it is not only a change of authorities, but an opportunity to correct serious structural deficits in the guarantee and protection of human rights.”
The group denounced that during the administration of Tarek William Saab in the Public Ministry and Alfredo Ruiz in the Ombudsman’s Office, the country experienced “systematic complaints of extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests, torture, short-term forced disappearances and persecution for political reasons”, facts documented by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Regarding the Public Ministry, the organizations indicated that it had the obligation to act with “reinforced due diligence in the investigation of serious violations,” and warned that “the absence of effective structural investigations against documented patterns of violations constitutes responsibility by omission when the competent authority, having knowledge of serious facts and the capacity to act, does not adopt adequate measures to prevent, investigate or sanction.”
Regarding the Ombudsman’s Office, they highlighted that “the systematic inaction in the face of risk situations and the public minimization of complaints compromised the fulfillment of that mandate and degraded its rating in the international community.”
The statement emphasizes that “resignation does not extinguish the need for evaluation of institutional responsibilities” and that “accountability is a condition for non-repetition.” Furthermore, they warned that the appointment of Larry Devoe as prosecutor “in charge” and Saab as the “in charge” defender violates the regulations of both organizations.
They demand verified processes, clear criteria and effective justice
Faced with this scenario, the organizations raised five demands: a “transparent and verifiable” selection process, minimum criteria of suitability and independence, an immediate plan for institutional reform, commitment to international standards and evaluation of past actions.
“The renewal of the Public Ministry and the Ombudsman’s Office cannot be reduced to a change of names. It must represent a real transformation in the way the State responds to human rights violations,” they emphasize. They add that “the moment represents an opportunity: either a stage of real independence and effective justice is inaugurated or the continuity of a model that weakened the protection of fundamental rights is consolidated.”
Finally, they reiterate that “justice is not a political option or a concession. It is a constitutional obligation and an indispensable condition to pave the way for the democratic transition.”
