The general coordinator of Venezuelan NGO Provea, Rafael Uzcáetegui, spoke about the third report presented by the International Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela.
Among other things, the conclusions of the UN experts reveal that the human rights violations against dissent are allegedly part of a plan “orchestrated at the highest political levels.”
In this regard, Uzcátegui expressed that “the reports confirm that the violations are systematic and respond to a pattern of action that has been defined in a plan that has the authorization and encouragement of high-ranking authorities of the Venezuelan government.”
In the opinion of the sociologist, the work of the mission “has become the most important truth mechanism to let Venezuelans know what has happened in the country in recent years.”
“We need all the international protection mechanisms to continue to be active for our country because they have become an important retaining wall against abuse of power,” he says.
In this sense, Provea and other organizations dedicated to the defense of human rights are advocating the extension of the mandate of the Fact-Finding mission that must be approved by the UN Human Rights Council in the coming days.
“These conclusions confirm that the announcements made by the authorities to guarantee the independence of the Judiciary and respect for due process are insufficient and that the situation of impunity and human rights violations continues despite the announcements of the National Executive branch”, he affirms.
The Venezuelan government announced a judicial revolution that attempted to inhibit an investigation by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan. However, the official requested authorization from the Pre-Trial Chamber to continue his work after confirming that there are reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity were committed in Venezuela.
Translated by José Rafael Medina
