Venezuela: UN must renew International Fact-Finding Mission

Item 4: ID with Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela

September 20, 2024

Oral statement by Olga Guzmán

We appreciate and acknowledge the Mission's relevant report and agree that the repression, which deepened in the post-electoral crisis, is part of a context of attacks against human rights defenders. According to information from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Civil Society, 592 attacks against human rights defenders occurred in the first half of the year, 56 of which occurred in July 2024 alone.

In addition to acts of intimidation, threats, and torture against human rights defenders. We have also documented the arbitrary, selective and discretionary cancellation of passports, which has prevented Venezuelan defenders from attending this session of the Council for fear of reprisals.

The recent law adopted on 15 August to control NGOs symbolises the civil death of human rights organisations. It violates their freedom of association and the right to defend human rights.

We call on this Council to renew the mandate of this Mission and to insist on the High Commissioner's Office being able to return to the country with the necessary guarantees to carry out its mandate to protect and monitor human rights.

Thank you very much.