Increasing Forced Disappearances Highlight Human Rights Crisis in Venezuela

The UN and Inter-American experts have raised alarms over the increasing use of forced disappearances in Venezuela targeting political activists and opponents. They demand governmental accountability and transparency regarding the detained individuals’ fates. The declaration highlights an ongoing climate of fear and impunity, positioning these actions as serious human rights violations that necessitate urgent attention.

Experts from the United Nations and the Inter-American Human Rights system expressed serious concern over the alarming increase in forced disappearances targeting activists in Venezuela during a statement released on February 28. They urged the Venezuelan government to disclose the whereabouts of the missing individuals and ensure their safety, emphasizing that this practice serves to suppress dissent among opposition members, pro-democracy advocates, and human rights defenders.

The experts reported receiving numerous complaints from families, legal representatives, and civil society organizations attempting to locate missing persons. They highlighted the troubling reality that complaints and habeas corpus petitions are being rejected or ignored by national authorities, compelling victims to seek justice through international mechanisms.

Operating under the mandate of the UN Human Rights Council, the experts belong to the UN Working Group on Forced or Involuntary Disappearances. In their statement, they noted that arrests and subsequent forced disappearances have been particularly prominent in the context of the upcoming presidential elections and the inauguration scheduled for January 2025.

Venezuelan presidential elections held on July 28, 2024, saw Nicolás Maduro declared the winner with 53% of the vote, although opposition claims indicated widespread discrepancies in the vote count favoring Edmundo González with 67%. Protests erupted against the official results, leading to severe crackdowns resulting in fatalities and thousands of arrests, including political opponents and activists.

As political repression intensified, reports indicated that hundreds of detainees previously charged with terrorism were released, yet a new wave of targeted detentions emerged, primarily affecting political leaders and human rights advocates. Among those released were six US citizens, who were flown to safety after political negotiations with the Venezuelan government.

Following the presidential oath on January 10, 2025, Maduro’s administration continued its crackdown on dissent, amidst minor demonstrations for the release of political prisoners. The Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal identified over 1,060 political prisoners as of February 24, reflecting the ongoing state of repression in the country.

The experts highlighted that a pervasive atmosphere of intimidation persists, reinforced by widespread impunity and selective justice. They documented systematic reports of enforced disappearances, mainly attributed to state authorities who arrest individuals and fail to acknowledge their detention, essentially removing them from legal protections.

Such actions constitute enforced disappearances regardless of their duration, as pointed out by the experts. They indicated a troubling pattern implicating various Venezuelan officials, including those in intelligence, military, and judicial roles, in these serious human rights violations.

The experts called on the Venezuelan government to uphold its obligations under international law by addressing precautionary measures instituted by the IACHR, providing clarity on the whereabouts of forcibly disappeared individuals, and taking decisive action against such crimes. Furthermore, they stressed that basic legal rights must be afforded to all detainees, including communication rights and access to consular assistance for foreign nationals.

In summary, the United Nations and Inter-American experts have condemned the surge in forced disappearances in Venezuela, urging the government to address these violations and ensure the safety of activists and political prisoners. The blatant disregard for legal protections and the systemic nature of these actions call for immediate attention on both national and international levels to safeguard human rights. The experts’ appeal underscores the critical need for accountability and the safeguarding of civil liberties in Venezuela.

Original Source: havanatimes.org