GENEVA - The UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela released a new report today documenting in stark detail a deeply worrying rise in human rights violations and crimes against victims who have been targeted in the country's unprecedented crackdown.
The investigation, which expands on the Fact-Finding Mission's 20 September report to the Human Rights Council, documents multiple and increasing violations and crimes committed by the Venezuelan government, security forces and pro-government armed civilian groups before, during and after the nation's disputed July presidential vote.
These violations include arbitrary detentions, torture, short term enforced disappearances and sexual violence - all of which are taking place as part of a coordinated plan to silence critics and perceived opponents. Among the victims are children, as well as people with disabilities.
The Mission reported that detainees are threatened, including with acts of torture, in order to incriminate themselves for serious crimes, such as terrorism. The lack of evidence and the absence of lawyers of their choice place victims in a position of special vulnerability as self-incrimination could bring disproportionately high prison penalties. Particularly serious is the situation of detained children and adolescents, who face the same threats and are not receiving the special protection measures required by international law.
The Mission's report confirms the conclusion that some of the serious human rights violations investigated during this period were committed following the same course of conduct previously qualified by the mission as crimes against humanity. Furthermore, such violations, committed with discriminatory intent, amounts to the crime against humanity of persecution on political grounds based on the identity of the victims.
Twenty-five people were shot and killed in the recent violence, the Fact-Finding Mission said. Hundreds of others have been injured, while thousands more have been detained for simply exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression.
The report includes illustrative cases exemplifying its findings, and puts the testimony of victims at the core of its conclusions.
The Mission reiterates its call for the State to release all individuals arbitrarily detained and respect both the physical and psychological integrity of detainees and their right to due process. The international community and the relevant UN organizations should pay special attention to the protection of the rights of children under these circumstances.
The Mission expresses its gratitude for the ongoing support of the international community, including the recent decision of the Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the Mission for another next two years.
The Mission will continue with the investigations already started on the situation of human rights before, during, and after the 2024 presidential vote, and on the violence by armed individuals known as "colectivos," as requested by the Human Rights Council.
Read the full detailed report here.
Background: In September 2019, the United Nations Human Rights Council established the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by resolution 42/25 for one year to assess alleged human rights violations committed since 2014. By its resolutions 45/20 and 51/29, the Human Rights Council extended the mandate of the FFMV for an additional two years, until September 2024. The Mission will present its next report at a dialogue session of the Council in September.
