Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you High Commissioner for your recent visit to Venezuela and for your important update.
The UK shares your serious concerns about the human rights situation in Venezuela. Civic space remains significantly curtailed and freedom of expression restricted. Prisoners, particularly human rights defenders, unlawfully and arbitrarily detained, and restrictions on the rights of women and LGBTI people persist. However, we welcome the recent decision by the Supreme Court of Justice to decriminalise same-sex relationships in the military.
The proposed NGO and International Cooperation bills, which would limit further the civil and democratic space, are deeply concerning. We urge constructive dialogue with the international community to ensure this space is protected in accordance with Venezuela's international obligations.
Human rights are also about the millions of vulnerable Venezuelans unable to access adequate health care, nutrition and water; this crisis will have long-term impacts on the lives of all Venezuelans.
We call for the respect of human rights and an end to impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations. This will be particularly important ahead of elections in 2024.
High Commissioner, how can the international community support access to justice for victims of human rights violations?
Thank you.
