From
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Liz Throssell
Location
Geneva
The detention and enforced disappearance of critics of the Venezuelan Government is continuing, fuelling a climate of fear. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, calls on the authorities to release immediately all those arbitrarily detained, and to ensure due process and fair trial standards are met.
Since last year’s election, human rights defenders, journalists and others perceived as dissident voices have been subjected to intimidation and persecution, limiting the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
Among the most recent cases of concern is that of Eduardo Torres, a lawyer with the Venezuelan Education-Action Program on Human Rights, who according to credible information, was arrested on his way home in Caracas on 9 May. His relatives report being unable to contact him and remain unaware of his whereabouts.
Our Office continues to be concerned by conditions of detention, in particular lack of access to adequate food and health care. Our Office has verified the deaths of at least three Government critics held in custody since July 2024. These cases must be fully and independently investigated.
The High Commissioner urges authorities to provide promptly details on the fate and whereabouts of the missing and detained to their loved ones, and to ensure they are granted access to lawyers of their own choosing.
Amid the widening restrictions on civic space, we recall that the Law on the Control, Regulation, Performance, and Financing of Non-Governmental and Related Organizations is vague and undermines the rights to freedom of expression and association. This law must be repealed.
For more information and media requests, please contact:
Liz Throssell - + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org
Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org
Jeremy Laurence - +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org
Thameen Al-Kheetan: +41 22 917 4232 / thameen.alkheetan@un.org