Rights organisations, such as the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), have urged for the immediate release of human rights defenders detained in Venezuela. Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council, they highlighted the alarming trend of enforced disappearances aimed at silencing dissent and opposition to the government.
Under the stringent Bolívar Law, the Venezuelan state can impose severe prison sentences on those suspected of supporting sanctions or acknowledging the government in exile. Furthermore, legislation imposes strict registration requirements on NGOs and limits their involvement in political matters, discouraging opposition voices and facilitating arrests of critics.
A recent UN fact-finding mission revealed that over 150 foreign nationals have been apprehended on allegations of conspiracy against the government. The report also documented 126 arrests of human rights defenders between September 2024 and January 2025, reflecting a systematic repression of dissent.
Despite Article 67 of Venezuela’s Constitution safeguarding the freedom of association, the ongoing disappearances of activists reveal a stark violation of this right. Venezuela’s commitment to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance further underscores its obligations to address such incidents.
Alarming reports suggest that detainees are often denied legal representation, with their families left in the dark regarding the reasons for their relatives’ arrest. Following a disputed election in January, where Nicolás Maduro claimed a third term, international observers noted increased targeting of opposition figures, leading to further concerns about human rights abuses in the country.
Rights groups, including ISHR, demand the release of detained human rights defenders in Venezuela, citing laws that facilitate arrests and enforced disappearances. A UN report indicates at least 150 foreign nationals and 126 rights defenders have been detained since September 2024. Despite constitutional protections, the government’s actions reflect profound violations of human rights. Families of detainees often lack information, and international observers express alarm over the targeting of opposition figures during recent elections.
The call for the release of human rights defenders in Venezuela highlights the dire state of civil liberties and the alarming governmental practices of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions. The existence of oppressive laws, lack of legal recourse, and targeting of opposition members during contentious elections underscores the urgent need for human rights advocacy and international attention to safeguard fundamental freedoms in Venezuela.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
