GENEVA - Venezuela's Government must immediately end the escalating repression that has shaken the country since presidential elections on 28 July and thoroughly investigate the spate of grave human rights violations that are currently occurring, the UN's Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela said today.
Street protests, as well as criticism on social media, in the weeks following the election have been met with fierce repression by the State, as directed by its highest authorities, inducing a climate of widespread fear. The Mission has recorded 23 deaths, the vast majority caused by gunfire, between 28 July and 8 August in the context of the protests. In 18 of these cases, the victims were men under the age of 30.
"The reported deaths during the protests must be thoroughly investigated, and if the excessive use of lethal force by security forces and the involvement of armed civilians acting in collusion with them are confirmed, those responsible must be held accountable," said Marta Valiñas, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission. "The victims and their families deserve justice."
After analyzing data published by various human rights organizations, the Mission can preliminarily conclude that at least 1,260 people have been detained since 28 July, including 160 women. Most detentions occurred in the capital district (18%), followed by the states of Carabobo (16%) and Anzoátegui (9%). Data from the Attorney General's office indicates that at least 2,200 people, indiscriminately labeled as "terrorists," have been detained.
The Mission has identified common elements in these detentions, which qualify them as arbitrary and constitute serious violations of due process, leaving individuals unprotected within the justice system. These elements include summary hearings conducted remotely by the Terrorism Courts in Caracas, even if the events occurred elsewhere; the imposition of serious criminal charges such as terrorism, conspiracy, and hate crimes, without supporting evidence or applied in a disproportionate manner; the denial of information to family members, or the provision of late and incomplete information; and preventing detainees from appointing legal counsel of their choice.
"All individuals arbitrarily detained must be released immediately," said Patricia Tappatá, an expert of the Mission. "The authorities must strictly adhere to international standards regarding due process and detention conditions, using formal channels to communicate with family members."
Among those detained are leaders, members, and supporters of political parties, journalists, and human rights defenders, considered or perceived by the authorities as part of the opposition. However, the vast majority of those detained were simply individuals who voiced their rejection of the presidential election results announced by the authorities. Many of these detentions occurred after individuals participated in protests or expressed their opinions on social media, with authorities selectively targeting them at their homes.
The Mission has received particularly concerning information about the detention of over 100 children and adolescents, who have been charged with the same serious crimes as adults. Moreover, these children have not been accompanied by their parents or guardians during judicial proceedings.
"The Mission strongly recalls the obligation to ensure that detained children are treated in strict compliance with international child protection obligations, respecting their best interests," said Francisco Cox, an expert of the Mission.
The Mission continues its process of documenting, analyzing, verifying, and investigating human rights violations in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and demands that the repression unleashed since 28 July cease immediately.
