UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela. Delivered by the UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
Thank you, Mr President.
We thank the Fact-Finding Mission for its update which remains critical to improving human rights in Venezuela and ensuring accountability.
The human rights situation in Venezuela remains grave. Over seven months have passed since the presidential election, and the Venezuelan authorities have still not produced any credible evidence of votes cast. The subsequent repression against political figures, journalists, trade unionists, and civil society continues. This has contributed to a culture of fear as fundamental freedoms continue to be eroded.
The continued reports of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and deaths in detention are alarming and unacceptable. Despite some conditional releases, over 1,000 Venezuelans and foreign nationals remain arbitrarily detained. We call for their immediate and unconditional release.
We continue to support a Venezuelan-led democratic and peaceful transition that will respect each and every vote cast on 28 July. Venezuela needs a strong civil society and tolerance for democratic opposition to support democratic normalisation.
Señora Valiñas,
What is your assessment of the state of civic space in Venezuela and what are your recommendations to address this?
