HRC53: Report on Venezuela - Concerned Country 05 July 2023
/
5:01
/
MOV
/
291.8 MB

Edited News , Statements | OHCHR

HRC 53: Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner's Report on Venezuela - 05 July 2023

The authorities continue to facilitate visits to civilian detention centres, and interviews with detainees, by my team. Last month, my staff were also able to visit two military detention centres,” Türk said.

“In addition, they were given access to 13 prosecution case files and three judicial hearings, and had direct exchanges with prosecutors on cases and issues identified by OHCHR, expanding engagement with the Office of the General Attorney to new areas of cooperation. This has enabled the formulation of precise recommendations for greater compliance of investigations and trials with international human rights standards, he said.

The Office of the Attorney General has also agreed to develop a protocol for the investigation of gender-based killings, or femicides, addressing an important recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The High Commissioner encourages further measures to advance women’s rights, including by amending restrictive legislation on abortion.

I note with appreciation the March 2023 judgement of the Supreme Court that de-criminalized same-sex relations in the Code of military justice, and I encourage additional measures to advance the rights of LGBTIQ+ people,” Türk said.

The number of documented killings by agents of the State, as well as reports of torture and ill-treatment, continue to decrease,” he said.

Official reports indicate that in 2022, 362 officials were indicted, and 47 convicted, for torture and ill-treatment. The UN Human Rights Office has received information about 91 other complaints of torture submitted by victims and their representatives since 2018, and I urge the authorities to ensure adequate follow up, without exception, and in full transparency.

There have been prolonged delays in the investigation of deaths during protests that took place in 2014, 2017 and 2019. Moreover, of the 101 deaths that the UN Human Rights Office has documented in the context of security operations, only eight have been brought to trial.

I repeat my call to release all those who are unlawfully or arbitrarily detained, including 16 people whose detentions have been deemed arbitrary by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and people whose pre-trial detention has surpassed the legal limit,” Türk said.

I am concerned about the case of Javier Tarazona, a leading human rights defender who has been detained for two years, and who is reportedly in poor health. His trial is underway,” he said.

Venezuela's upcoming national electoral processes must be transparent, inclusive, and participatory. I urge the lifting of all undue restrictions on the right to participate in public affairs; full compliance with due process; and measures to prevent and sanction attacks, intimidation, and the criminalisation of people voicing dissent” he said.

Reports of obstacles to free participation in political affairs, including administrative disqualification of members of the opposition from holding office, need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The UN Human Rights Office are closely following developments surrounding the appointment of a new National Electoral Council and would urge respect for the full range of its constitutionally mandated prerogatives.

Protests have continued during the reporting period, often centred on demands for economic and social rights, such as better working conditions and wages.

The arrest last month of two trade union leaders of the State-run SIDOR steel company in Bolívar State, on charges of incitement to hatred, criminal association, and boycott, is one of several cases of concern to the UN Human Rights Office. Another is the ongoing trial of six union and labour leaders on charges of conspiracy and criminal association, following their arrests a year ago, also reportedly in relation to labour protests.

“It is important to support all efforts conducive to inclusive and effective dialogue between Venezuelans. I encourage swift and full implementation of agreements reached to date, including the Mesa Social accord reached in November, and continued discussions that can rebuild trust and a cohesive social contract for the future,” he said in conclusion.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact:

Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org or Marta Hurtado - + 41 22 917 9466 / marta.hurtadogomez@un.org or Jeremy Laurence + +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org

Tag and share

Twitter @UNHumanRights

Facebook unitednationshumanrights

Instagram @unitednationshumanrights

Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights

  1. Exterior shot: Palais des Nations, Geneva.
  2. Wide shot: wide shot room 20
  3. Soundbite (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR):The authorities continue to facilitate visits to civilian detention centres, and interviews with detainees, by my team. Last month, my staff were also able to visit two military detention centres.”
  4. Cut aways: room 20
  5. Soundbite (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): Inaddition, they were given access to 13 prosecution case files and three judicial hearings and had direct exchanges with prosecutors on cases and issues identified by OHCHR, expanding engagement with the Office of the General Attorney to new areas of cooperation. This has enabled the formulation of precise recommendations for greater compliance of investigations and trials with international human rights standards.
  6. Cut aways: room 20
  7. Soundbite (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): I note with appreciation the March 2023 judgement of the Supreme Court that de-criminalized same-sex relations in the Code of military justice, and I encourage additional measures to advance the rights of LGBTIQ+ people.”
  8. Cut aways: room 20
  9. Soundbite (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): The number of documented killings by agents of the State, as well as reports of torture and ill-treatment, continue to decrease.”
  10. Cut aways: room 20
  11. Soundbite (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): I repeat my call to release all those who are unlawfully or arbitrarily detained, including 16 people whose detentions have been deemed arbitrary by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and people whose pre-trial detention has surpassed the legal limit.”
  12. Cut aways: room 20
  13. Soundbite (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): I am concerned about the case of Javier Tarazona, a leading human rights defender who has been detained for two years, and who is reportedly in poor health. His trial is underway.”
  14. Cut aways: room 20
  15. Soundbite (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR):Venezuela’s upcoming national electoral processes must be transparent, inclusive, and participatory. I urge the lifting of all undue restrictions on the right to participate in public affairs; full compliance with due process; and measures to prevent and sanction attacks, intimidation, and the criminalisation of people voicing dissent.
  16. Cut aways: room 20
  17. Soundbite (English)— Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, (OHCHR): It is important to support all efforts conducive to inclusive and effective dialogue between Venezuelans. I encourage swift and full implementation of agreements reached to date, including the Mesa Socialaccord reached in November last year, rebuilding trust and a cohesive social contract for the future, is the way forward.

Similar Stories

Escalating violence in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah State - OHCHR

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

Escalating violence in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah State - OHCHR ENG FRA

Escalating violence in Sudan’s Al-Jazirah State adds to the dire displacement crisis in the country

UNCTAD Press conference 29 October 2024

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | UNCTAD

UNCTAD Press conference 29 October 2024 ENG FRA

Publication of the Trade and Development Report 2024: Rethinking Development in the Age of Discontent 

Knesset UNRWA vote – UN reaction IOM – OCHA – UNICEF – WHO – OHCHR

1

1

1

Edited News | IOM , OCHA , UNICEF , WHO , OHCHR

Knesset UNRWA vote – UN reaction IOM – OCHA – UNICEF – WHO – OHCHR ENG FRA

‘If UNRWA can’t operate, humanitarian system in Gaza will collapse’ – UN

The UN humanitarian and human rights community reacted forcefully on Tuesday to the vote by the Israeli Knesset banning the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), warning of the devastating impact on millions of Palestinians who depend on it.

WMO Press conference 28 October 2024

2

1

2

Press Conferences , Edited News | WMO

WMO Press conference 28 October 2024 ENG FRA

New data released by the UN on Monday indicating that greenhouse gases have hit a record high shows once again that urgent action and not words is needed from the world’s major polluters to protect us all from climate change, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) insisted.

Middle East update WHO – UNICEF – UNHCR  25 October 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , UNICEF , UNHCR

Middle East update WHO – UNICEF – UNHCR 25 October 2024 ENG FRA

Gaza’s sick and injured face new attacks on health care, lethal evacuation delays – UN humanitarians

Amid reports of a new Israeli military raid on a Gaza hospital on Friday morning - and ongoing hostilities hindering polio vaccination in the north of the Strip - UN humanitarians pleaded again for the protection of health facilities and urgent medical evacuation of critically ill patients.

Ukraine's demographic crisis UNFPA - 22 October 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | UNFPA

Ukraine's demographic crisis UNFPA - 22 October 2024 ENG FRA

Ukraine's birthrate plummets amid war, prompting a new demographic strategy.

Middle East update UNIFIL - OCHA - UNICEF - 18 October 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , UNIFIL

Middle East update UNIFIL - OCHA - UNICEF - 18 October 2024 ENG FRA

UN peacekeepers determined to stay in south Lebanon, while humanitarians report more civilian suffering in Gaza and West Bank

UN peacekeepers are keeping their positions in South Lebanon despite heavy shelling and targeted attacks; their commitment to bringing back stability to the region is unwavering, the UN said on Friday.

Tunisia human rights situation

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

Tunisia human rights situation ENG FRA

Volker Türk calls on Tunisia to uphold rule of law and democratic freedoms, following pre-electoral context marred by human rights concerns

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk today called on the Tunisian authorities to protect the country’s democratic processes and uphold fundamental freedoms after a presidential campaign marred by a crackdown on the opposition, independent activists and journalists.

 

Middle East crisis update  UNHCR - OHCHR - UNICEF 15 October 2024

1

1

1

Edited News | UNHCR , UNICEF , OHCHR

Middle East crisis update UNHCR - OHCHR - UNICEF 15 October 2024 ENG FRA

With no let-up to the ongoing Israel-Lebanon conflict, the UN human rights office on Tuesday called for an independent probe into an Israeli airstrike that hit an apartment block in northern Lebanon a day earlier that left a reported 22 dead.

HRC57 - Human Rights in Venezuela: adoption of resolution L.8 - 11 October 2024

3

2

3

Statements | HRC

HRC57 - Human Rights in Venezuela: adoption of resolution L.8 - 11 October 2024 ENG FRA

Adoption of resolution L.8 to extend the mandate of the independent international fact-finding mission on Venezuela at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council 

Gaza, Lebanon update OHCHR - WHO 11 October 2024

1

1

2

Edited News | OHCHR , WHO

Gaza, Lebanon update OHCHR - WHO 11 October 2024 ENG FRA

Amid reports of intensifying Israeli bombing in Lebanon and Gaza overnight and continuing Hezbollah rocket fire into Israel, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, called on Friday for an end to the “killing, destruction [and] bellicose posturing” by those in power.

HRC57 - Human Rights in Russia: adoption of resolution L.4 - 10 October 2024

2

3

3

Statements | HRC

HRC57 - Human Rights in Russia: adoption of resolution L.4 - 10 October 2024 ENG FRA

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva adopts a resolution to extend the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation