1. The OHCHR, in its July 2019 report on Venezuela, said there had been at least 2,124 deaths during security operations in the first five months of 2019. Palais des Nations. In recent years, the TSJ has issued numerous decisions that have bolstered Maduro’s power. As hyperinflation began the standard of living declined. There is virtually no transparency regarding government spending. Today, several national and international human rights organizations have launched a call on states at the UN Human Rights Council to renew and strengthen the important mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela during the upcoming Council session in September. At year’s end, Maduro—who holds widespread support among the country’s military and has maintained tight control of the country’s institutions—remained in power. 4 pag. Overview. The National Constituent Assembly is formally tasked with drafting a new constitution, but in practice has functioned as a parallel legislative body serving to empower Maduro. Human rights. Spanish, Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human RightsOutcomes of the investigation into allegations of possible human right violations of the human rights to life, liberty and physical and moral integrity in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Maduro sought to intimidate voters by insisting that they present the so-called Fatherland ID card—the special identity card required to receive subsidized food and other services—at government-run booths near polling places. Opposition parties that had boycotted the 2017 municipal elections due to the unjust conditions were banned by the National Constituent Assembly from competing under their names in the presidential election, prompting the opposition MUD coalition to declare a boycott of the process. The US has accused the Maduro regime of widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrest and the detention of Venezuelan citizens. In addition, in 2019 Maduro continued to strengthen the Bolivarian Militia, a civilian militia group established by the late president Hugo Chávez Frías in 2008 to support the military; the group had over 3 million members in 2019, according to the government. Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale. Human rights investigators say authorities have committed "egregious violations" since 2014. The president serves six-year terms. ... From June 19 to June 21, 2019, the UN high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, was permitted to visit Venezuela. (In contrast, live-streamed speeches by Guaidó were frequently blocked.). Despite the risk of injury and even death, thousands of protests took place throughout the year, most of which focused on discontent with deteriorating economic and social conditions. Venezuela - Human Rights Reports OHCHR 2020 Independence of the justice system and access to justice in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including for violations of economic and social rights, and the situation of human rights in the Arco Minero del Orinoco region. These events prompted an exodus of more than 900 Pemón to Brazil, with most of those who fled indicating that they would not return to Venezuela due to the fear of persecution. Under the directive, if elections are not held within six months of the decision, the court will choose the new authorities. Maduro’s government has become increasingly dependent on foreign allies to keep power, particularly Russia and Cuba. en ESPAÑOL; … Mass arbitrary detentions accompanied larger protests, with Amnesty International reporting the arbitrary arrest of 770 demonstrators on a single day in January. NEW YORK – In September 2019, the United Nations Human Rights Council mandated us to investigate alleged human-rights violations in Venezuela – specifically, extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and torture, and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. refugees and migrants from Venezuela worldwide (government figures) Over 800,000. asylum-seekers from Venezuela worldwide … Were the current national legislative representatives elected through free and fair elections? The first half of 2019 saw mass demonstrations by those who backed Guaidó’s presidential proclamation, notably in January and May. These included at least three deaths during a military operation in a community populated largely by members of the Pemón indigenous group. It was invited by self-declared… Was this page helpful? The law also allows authorities greater legal grounds to block digital content deemed to be in violation. Nevertheless, Venezuelans of all social classes continued to flee the country in massive numbers in 2019. In 2017, President Maduro fired the health minister after the ministry published data confirming a dramatic rise in maternal and infant mortality. Some indigenous leaders have been impeded from running for office and others have been targeted by government stigmatization campaigns. /TASS/. Freedom of assembly is guaranteed in the constitution, but is not protected in practice. Obstruction, intimidation, physical attacks, confiscations of equipment, and detentions and arrests of media workers continued in 2019. Opposition leaders are harassed, attacked, imprisoned, and otherwise impeded from participating in political processes or leading political parties in peaceful activities. Elections to the new assembly did not give voters the option to reject its establishment, were widely derided as unconstitutional, and were dismissed by the opposition, which boycotted the vote. Statistics for 2018 released by the Venezuelan Violence Observatory (OVV) placed the country’s homicide rate at 81.4 per 100,000 people. State and municipal police and armed colectivos responded with violence, and dozens of protest-related deaths were recorded. It has triggered one of the worst refugee crises in modern history. Mass arbitrary detentions of demonstrators took place at the larger protests. Los Palos Grandes, Caracas 1060,VenezuelaTel. Spanish, Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela In August 2019, a Reuters report revealed that Chávez and late Cuban president Fidel Castro had signed agreements in 2008 to allow Cuba’s armed forces to “train soldiers in Venezuela, review and restructure parts of the Venezuelan military, train Venezuelan intelligence agents in Havana, and change the intelligence service’s mission from spying on foreign rivals to surveilling the country’s own soldiers, officers, and even senior commanders.” The revelations indicated that Cuban influence is prominent in Venezuela’s Directorate General of Military Counterintelligence, which has been accused of torture, political espionage, and arbitrary detentions. Among businesses that are legally registered, sanctions for labor law violations, when levied, generally target private-sector operations, and not those that are state-run. ... From June 19 to June 21, 2019, the UN high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, was permitted to visit Venezuela. Palais des Nations Geneva, Switzerland. The body of student Alí Domínguez was found in March after he had denounced corruption at the Bolivarian University of Venezuela, where many faculty members are government supporters. The rights of indigenous people, who make up 2.5 percent of the population, are upheld by the constitution but poorly protected by authorities. Do individuals enjoy equality of opportunity and freedom from economic exploitation? The competition has contributed to a substantial increase in labor violence as well as confusion and delays during industry-wide collective bargaining. One of them, navy officer Rafael Acosta, died in custody in late June, with Guaidó, the US State Department, and journalists who had viewed autopsy records attributing his death to torture. Was this page helpful? Spanish, Human rights violations and abuses in the context of protests in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from 1 April to 31 July 2017English | Venezuela does not function as a representative democracy. The record of human rights in Venezuela has been criticized by human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, among others.Concerns include attacks against journalists, poor prison conditions, harassment of human rights defenders, torture, extrajudicial executions by death squads and forced disappearances. Military leaders have taken control of numerous offices and have increased their own political and economic power, evolving into one of the most important groups inside of Maduro´s coalition of power. This drove a perception that those who did not vote could see aid revoked. See the Freedom in the World 2020 score and learn about democracy and freedom in Venezuela. In recent years, the government has focused mainly on attempting to delegitimize these organizations by accusing them of conspiring with foreign governments. Spanish, Comments by the State Trump v. Biden: The Evil of Two Lessers September 17, 2020. In June, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that the total number of emigrants had surpassed 4 million, with 1 million of those having left since November 2018. Venezuela’s government has worked with Bachelet since September of 2018, when the council passed a resolution instructing the High Commissioner to produce a comprehensive report on the human rights situation in the country. Maternal and infant mortality has increased due to a lack of skilled birth attendants and medical supplies, and to poor hospital conditions. 11 pag. Human Rights Components of Peace Missions, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Independent Mission says crimes against humanity committed in Venezuela, Venezuela: High Commissioner Bachelet details plans for new human rights assistance, Oral Update on the Human Rights Situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Do individuals enjoy freedom of movement, including the ability to change their place of residence, employment, or education? Last month, we presented our report to the council. The first was presented by Peru and endorsed by the right wing governments which make up the Lima Group. For example, in July 2019, three stepsons of Maduro and 13 companies were sanctioned by the United States for skimming funds from “overvalued contracts.” Among them were contracts involving the state food distribution program, a critical lifeline for the millions of Venezuelans affected by food shortages, which officials often exploit for political ends. Are individuals free to practice and express their religious faith or nonbelief in public and private? A school curriculum developed by Chávez government emphasizes socialist concepts. October 1, 2020. These include rulings that permitted security forces to break up unsanctioned protests, denied the opposition a supermajority after the 2015 elections by barring three new lawmakers from taking their seats, nullified most legislation passed by the opposition-controlled legislature, and ultimately stripped the National Assembly of its powers, replacing it with a National Constituent Assembly that was elected through a profoundly undemocratic process and is composed entirely of regime loyalists. The human rights organizations and individuals whosign this statement condemn the attacks and aggressions committed against thosewho defend human rights and do humanitarian work in Venezuela. Note: OHCHR is not responsible for the content of external links. The military has also assumed roles previously reserved for civilian law enforcement institutions, and foreign governments allege that the military has adopted a permissive attitude toward drug trafficking. Guaidó has since received the backing of more than 50 countries, including the United States. In October, Venezuela was narrowly elected by the UN General Assembly to serve on the Human Rights Council for the 2020-2022 term, notwithstanding its declared intention to refuse to cooperate with the council’s fact-finding mission, in violation of its membership obligations. Zambrano was eventually released in September, but the charges against him stand. Since 2015, at least 30 of the 112 elected opposition deputies of the National Assembly, including its current president, have been stripped of their parliamentary immunity or have suffered other legal retaliation, with most such instances taking place in 2018 and 2019. Academic freedom has come under mounting pressure since chavismo arrived to power. The nongovernmental organization Aula Abierta in a June 2019 report documented at least 15 attacks, including threats and instances of physical assault, against students and professors who sought to defend human rights at their institutions. Through strategic convening and timely research and analysis, FVI shapes the policy dialogue on Venezuela, which continues to devolve into a failed state and is increasingly posing a 11 pag. In 2019, Maduro maintained his grip on power following the democratically elected National Assembly’s decision to name Guaidó interim president. Youth empowerment. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices ... Venezuela: Non-Government Organization Reports: Amnesty International (PDF) Institute on Religion and Public Policy (PDF) Freedom House (PDF) Human Rights Watch (PDF) Media BBC Return to the Top of the Page Updated September 4, 2020. Corruption is rampant in Venezuela. Venezuela’s cooperation with the Universal Human Rights Protection System, and especially with the OHCHR, must translate into concrete steps toward ending human rights abuses, beginning with its compliance with OHCHR recommendations put forth since 2017 to address structural impunity and end persistent violations of human rights,” said Gerardo Berthin, director of Latin America … Independence of the justice system and access to justice in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including for violations of economic and social rights, and the situation of human rights in the Arco Minero del Orinoco region.English | Registration. Millions of refugees have fled Venezuela due to extreme levels of unemployment, coupled with severe challenges in trying to access daily necessities such as food and medication. Detainees reported regime-aligned security forces moved the… Does the government operate with openness and transparency? Since 2009, neither the president nor other elected officials have been subject to term limits. Opposition parties also boycotted the December 2018 municipal elections, in which just 27 percent of voters participated. After pushing through the de facto replacement of the National Assembly with the National Constituent Assembly in 2017, Maduro in 2018 ensured that no publicly known opposition figure would be able to challenge him in the 2018 presidential election. The report singled out as particularly troubling mining activities in the state of Bolivar, which have brought about violations of collective rights, including the right to maintain customs, traditional ways of life, and a spiritual relationship with their land. Analysts suggested that the move was a sign that Maduro might seek to win control of the body by calling for new congressional elections in 2020. The decision to hold the poll early was widely criticized as a move to benefit Maduro by leaving a crippled and divided opposition little time to coalesce around a unity candidate, and by holding the vote before already dire economic conditions could worsen. Individuals enjoy broad freedom in their interpersonal and romantic relationships and in their personal appearance. There were more than 35 arbitrary detentions of journalists in the first two months of the year alone, according to the National Press Workers’ Union. Venezuela continued refusing to allow the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to visit the country and refused to comply with the decisions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and its other obligations under the Inter-American system. Analysts suggested that the move was a sign that Maduro might seek to win control of the body by calling for new congressional elections in 2020. Women who have been political prisoners have referred to attacks by security forces including sexual violence, threats of rape, and forced nudity. by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman) A so-called UN High Commissioner for Human Rights fact-finding mission on Venezuela based its … He was released under the condition to appear before court every eight days. JUST ... human rights … After the National Constituent Assembly was created in 2017, it assumed the National Assembly’s constitutional role of selecting and confirming members of the CNE. Authorities’ monitoring of citizens’ behavior via their use of the Fatherland ID card and through scrutiny of content posted on social media platforms has created a climate of fear. We create the global space for parliamentary diplomacy, dialogue and networking. Meanwhile, the OHCHR report released following Bachelet’s visit to Venezuela warned that “state institutions have been steadily militarized over the past decade.”. Maduro, who has consolidated power over most Venezuelan institutions, and is backed by the country’s powerful military and international patrons including Cuba and Russia, has refused to relinquish power. Improving the regime’s human rights practices will preserve and enlarge the spaces left in Venezuelan society for political organizing and civil dialogue. In addition, the National Constituent Assembly has taken over certain CNE functions, including setting election dates. The Office of the Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expressed concern about the closure of 50 radio stations by the National Telecommunications Commission. English | Maduro steps up corruption, human rights violations (July 13) A woman wearing a mask and gloves against the spread of the new coronavirus, waits outside a soup kitchen run by nuns, waiting for it to open and get some food, in Caracas’ Petare slum in Venezuela, Thursday, April 30, 2020. Venezuelan women and children are increasingly vulnerable to sex trafficking within Venezuela and in neighboring countries, as well as in Europe, with the problem exacerbated by worsening economic conditions. oacnudh.venezuela@ohchr.org, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. +58 212-2084444Email: High courts generally do not rule against the government. In recent years, the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) has increasingly carried out policing functions and arrested opposition politicians and journalists without informing the Public Ministry or presenting official charges. Europe/Zurich. In May 2019, Maduro indicated a desire to hold elections to the weakened National Assembly—headed by opposition leader Juan Guaidó—in 2019 instead of 2020, but ultimately backed away from the idea. While data on the matter is limited, a contraceptives shortage is likely related to an increase in pregnancies among young women and teenage girls. Venezuela has won a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, despite widespread criticism of its poor human rights record. The Organization of American States on Wednesday called on the International Criminal Court to formally investigate human rights abuses in Venezuela… Ongoing political, human rights and socio-economic developments in Venezuela compel growing numbers of children, women and men to leave for neighbouring countries and beyond. The CSIS Future of Venezuela Initiative (FVI) keeps the policy community in the United States and abroad apprised of Venezuela’s rapidly evolving political, economic, and humanitarian landscape. Venezuela. Do various segments of the population (including ethnic, religious, gender, LGBT, and other relevant groups) have full political rights and electoral opportunities? People continue to leave Venezuela to escape violence, insecurity and threats as well as lack of food, medicine and essential services. OHCHR Presence in VenezuelaAv. Venezuela’s descent into economic and political chaos in recent years is a cautionary tale of the dangerous influence that resource wealth can have on developing countries. September 16, 2020. Red Lines host Anya Parampil debunks a new report issued by the UN Human Right’s Council which accuses Venezuela’s government of “crimes against humanity”. Venezuela also ranked second-to-last of all countries surveyed in Gallup’s 2019 Global Law and Order report, with only 26 percent of Venezuelan respondents saying they felt safe walking at night. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has reaffirmed it’s commitment to the Promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons global Subsequently, a shortage of basic necessities, poverty, and a series of human rights violations caused almost 5 million citizens to flee Venezuela. The Venezuelan Education–Action Program on Human Rights (PROVEA) reported that his body showed skull trauma and a nasal septum fracture, and some of his teeth were missing. Topical Listings. The July 2019 OHCHR report said the economic and social rights of indigenous people had been disproportionately affected by the humanitarian situation. Does due process prevail in civil and criminal matters? Footer Menu Justice. While several women hold senior positions in government, the general underrepresentation of women in politics contributes to a lack of policy discussions about issues that primarily affect women, such as gender-based violence. UN Venezuela Report Omits US Human Rights Violations By Leonardo Flores | MintPress News | October 2, 2020 O n September 23, María Eugenia Russián, president of Fundalatin, Venezuela’s oldest human rights organization, testified to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and decried an attempt by a UNHRC fact-finding mission to erase people who were “lynched, burned alive, decapitated … First Column. Venezuela’s electoral system is subject to political manipulation and institutional interference in favor of the ruling party. The investigative organization Insight Crime, which collects regional crime statistics, said that figure made Venezuela the most dangerous country in Latin America by a wide margin. Opponents of the government and ruling party are routinely detained and prosecuted without regard for due process. Independence of the justice system and access to justice in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including for violations of economic and social rights, and the situation of human rights in the Arco Minero del Orinoco region. See all data, scores & information on this country or territory. Every country in the world has some form of parliament. In June 2019, Karen Palacios, a clarinetist with the National Philharmonic Orchestra, was arrested for 46 days over tweets critical of the government. Fake News UN Report on Human Rights in Venezuela. In 2019, Russian media outlets reported planned government investments of over $1 billion into Venezuela’s oil and mining industries, providing critical support to the regime during a time of severe economic crisis. The council has a rotating membership between 47 states. In the 2015 elections, the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) coalition won 109 seats, while the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) took 55. Since September 2019, The High Commissioner also presents oral updates on the human rights situation in Venezuela to the Human Rights Council. His family was denied permission to visit him, though were eventually permitted after Zambrano launched a hunger strike that lasted 10 days.