A new report from a Human Rights Council-mandated investigation reveals severe human rights violations in Venezuela, following the disputed July 28th Presidential election that saw Nicolás Maduro re-elected. Investigators highlighted rampant repression, noting that security forces raided dozens of homes, using only social media videos as evidence against suspected government critics.
Marta Valiñas, Chair of the investigation, described an escalation of state violence reaching unprecedented levels, indicating a deterioration of the rule of law and increased state repression. The report documented a tragic outcome of 25 deaths linked to post-election violence, primarily young individuals under 30 from impoverished neighborhoods. Most victims were killed by gunshot wounds, while some were subjected to beatings.
The fact-finding mission confirmed that the period from September 2023 to August 2024 saw a complete erosion of judicial independence, leaving citizens defenseless against arbitrary state actions. Francisco Cox Vial, a mission member, detailed over 40 cases where homes were raided without warrants, leading to arrests based on mere social media activity.
In July, associated with opposition campaign events, more than 120 people were detained. Following the elections, protests led to over 2,000 detentions, including more than 100 children. Detainees experienced torture, sexual violence, and other cruel treatments, confirming the grave human rights crisis. Patricia Tappatá Valdez, another mission member, mentioned that 143 arrests targeted members of opposition parties, with notable political figures among them.
The period between December 2023 and March 2024 saw at least 48 arrests linked to alleged conspiracies against the government, targeting military personnel, human rights defenders, journalists, and opposition representatives.
The investigators concluded that these repressive actions signify deliberate political persecution, amounting to crimes against humanity, confirming the severity and systematically orchestrated nature of the violations.
Original Story https://news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2024/09/1154416
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