These are the conclusions of the report from the Fact-Finding Mission, created by the United Nations Human Rights Council. In presenting its assessments at the UN headquarters in Geneva, the mission made up of three international experts indicated serious human rights abuses by law enforcement, impunity for crimes and “difficulties” in reaching agreements to hold elections are respected by the Bolivarian government.
When taking the floor to defend itself at the UN, the Venezuelan delegation accused the powers of “arrogance”, rejected the complaint and called the information “barbarity”. For Bolivarian diplomacy, the mission has no legitimacy and is part of an attempt to promote the overthrow of the government.
Maduro has promised presidential elections for the end of July. But measures adopted by Caracas in recent weeks have left the UN and human rights activists concerned.
In October 2023, the Bolivarian government and the opposition reached an agreement in Barbados on the conditions for holding the election. At the same time, Maduro reached an agreement with Joe Biden’s government. On the one hand, he would guarantee free elections and release political prisoners. On the other hand, the Americans would remove the sanctions that shook the Venezuelan economy.
But the UN mission pointed out that, as early as 2023, it warned that the “state’s repressive structure had not been dismantled and continued to represent a latent threat that could be activated whenever the government deems it necessary.”
According to the investigation led by Marta Valiñas, “the numerous events recorded during the period of this update confirm that we are facing a phase of reactivation of the most violent form of repression by the authorities”. This includes human rights violations against people who oppose the regime, including “human rights defenders who dare to criticize, denounce or protest government decisions or policies.”
Tags: Lula government breaks silence states concern election Venezuela
