Statement for the Intersessional ID with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Venezuela. Delivered by the UK's Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
Thank you, Mr. Vice President.
Over four months have passed since the presidential election, and the Venezuelan authorities have failed to produce any evidence of the purported victory. Instead, they have taken further steps to induce fear, stifle civil society, and clamp down on opposition.
In the last two weeks alone, we have witnessed the approval of the 'Simón Bolívar' law, already identified by UN Special Procedures as a method of persecution against activists and civil society, and the entry into force of the 'anti-NGO' law.
Despite some conditional releases, over 1,900 Venezuelans remain arbitrarily detained. And reports of more such detentions and enforced disappearances continue to surface. We continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all such detainees.
High Commissioner,
We note the limited return of your Office to Venezuela, however, we urge the Venezuelan authorities to provide meaningful collaboration. Your team needs an increased footprint on the ground to monitor and document effectively the dire human rights situation. More importantly, such a presence is vital to fulfil your protection mandate given the ongoing persecution against the opposition, and human rights defenders, many of whom have been forced into hiding or exile.
This repression is unacceptable and it has to stop.
