UN Human Rights Council denounces climate of fear in the country

This Tuesday (03), the UN for Human Rights, through its spokesperson for the High Commissioner, Ravina Shamdasani, denounced the moment experienced by Venezuela as a “climate of fear”.

During a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Shamdasani said the UN urges the government to ensure that “all measures are taken in accordance with international human rights law with transparency and that steps are taken to resolve this dispute peacefully”.

Ravina adds that the situation in Venezuela is very regrettable, with people being detained for expressing their right to political participation, freedom of expression and assembly.

The spokesperson also said that she could not comment on specific cases, but that the feeling of fear in the country is notable.

Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that “It is particularly worrying that so many people are being detained, investigated or charged with incitement to hatred or under counter-terrorism legislation.” He further states that criminal law should never be used to unduly limit the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association.

_{Relatives of detainees participate in a vigil in Venezuela (Photo: reproduction/Pedro Rances Mattey/CNN Brasil)}

According to data from a survey carried out by an independent investigation group created by the UN, more than 2,400 protesters have been arrested and 23 people have been killed in the country since the elections. Among those detained are children and adolescents.

Members of the UN inquiry group issued a statement saying that “The Venezuelan government must immediately end the escalation of repression that has rocked the country since the July 28 presidential elections and thoroughly investigate the series of uncovered human rights abuses that are currently taking place.”.

Venezuela is led by dictator Nicolás Maduro, who has intensified repression against opponents since the electoral fraud in July this year.

Featured Photo: Venezuelans try to demonstrate against Maduro's reelection (Reproduction/Carlos Landaeta/AFP/O Globo)