At the recent Council session, the UN’s Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela alongside the High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the dire humanitarian and human rights situation in the country, emphasising the grim reality of ongoing crimes against humanity and widespread impunity. Among the chilling tactics used by state agents to instill fear and quash dissent, enforced disappearance stands out as particularly abhorrent.
Concerns regarding severe restrictions on civic space resonated during dialogues with several states and civil society organisations, where issues like the ‘NGO law’ and the ‘Simon Bolivar Law’ were cited for imposing intolerable limitations on the right to freedom of association. Calls were made for the release of human rights defenders unjustly detained, including names like Javier Tarazona and Rocio San Miguel.
Eleanor Openshaw of ISHR brought forth a poignant reminder of the pressures faced by Venezuelan defenders, whether within or outside the country. She stressed the necessity for urgent political and financial backing to support these individuals who not only envision a path forward but also labour tirelessly to promote respect for rights amidst looming repression.
The Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Michael Fakhri, added to the discourse by addressing the connection between the ongoing repression and the critical humanitarian crisis. Following his visit to Venezuela in February 2024, he called for enhanced public transparency and the regular dissemination of accurate, disaggregated data to aid in policymaking and recovery efforts.
In conclusion, ISHR reiterated an urgent plea to the international community: do not turn a blind eye to the human rights and humanitarian crises afflicting Venezuela. An active commitment to fostering human rights changes in the country is indispensable for recovery and hope.
The recent Council session revealed the worsening human rights and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, highlighting ongoing repression, enforced disappearances, and impunity. Restrictions on civic space were condemned, with urgent calls for support and the release of detainees. Key figures stressed the need for transparency and data access, linking repression to the humanitarian crisis. ISHR urged global commitment to uphold human rights in Venezuela.
The session underscored the urgent need for reform in Venezuela, pointing to a nexus between repression and humanitarian crises. The call for civic space expansion and support for defenders was prevalent, emphasising the critical role of transparency and open communication in addressing these challenges. To foster change, a unified global effort towards supporting Venezuelan human rights advocates is essential.
Original Source: ishr.ch
