Venezuela presidential election: international organizations call on authorities to guarantee transparency

On July 28, Venezuelans participated massively and peacefully in the presidential elections, demonstrating an inspiring commitment to democratic principles. This occurred despite the fact that the electoral process was severely marred by human rights violations and irregularities. The undersigned international organizations condemn the lack of transparency in the announced results.

  

The Government reaffirmed its policy of criminalizing protests and defended its use of repression before the IACHR

During a public hearing requested by human rights, labor, and social organizations, representatives from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the United Nations expressed their concerns about the use of force, arbitrary detentions, the Ministry of Security’s protocol, and the stigmatization of demonstrators and social organizations.

  

Human rights crisis in Venezuela

The Venezuelan government did not protect the right to life and restricted the rights to freedom of expression, of assembly and of political participation. The United States government imposed new legal and financial sanctions on the country. The situation requires the international community’s active commitment to support Venezuela in finding a sovereign way out of the crisis.

  

Mexican government spies on critical voices

In the midst of a wave of unpunished violence against journalists and human rights defenders, it has come to light that the Mexican government is running surveillance and spying on members of the press, activists and political parties. Human rights organizations are calling for an investigation of these acts by a panel of independent experts.

  

OAS must reject the Argentine candidate for the IACHR

The countries of the OAS must elect new commissioners to the IACHR. In February we formally objected to the Argentine state’s candidate. In addition, two ex-presidents of the IACHR, an international panel of independent experts and more than 60 scholars rejected his candidacy.