Opening a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva today, the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, raised concerns over the continued deterioration of the human rights crisis in Venezuela, and the lack of accountability for even the gravest human rights violations.
Responding to the High Commissioner’s update, Fernanda Doz Costa, Amnesty International’s deputy director for the Americas, said:
“The gravity of the High Commissioner’s findings is a red flag for the Human Rights Council, which must establish a Commission of Inquiry into the human rights situation in Venezuela as soon as possible. Alongside over a hundred other Venezuelan and international NGOs, Amnesty International has repeatedly called for an Inquiry to monitor and report on the human rights crisis and clarify responsibility for crimes under international law and grave human rights violations.”
The gravity of the High Commissioner’s findings is a red flag for the Human Rights Council, which must establish a Commission of Inquiry into the human rights situation in Venezuela as soon as possible
Fernanda Doz Costa, Amnesty International’s deputy director for the Americas
“The human rights crisis in Venezuela keeps escalating and the suffering of millions continues, while impunity prevails. Amnesty International recently concluded that the selective extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions, and deaths and injuries caused by excessive use of force were part of a systematic and widespread attack by Nicolás Maduro’s government against the civilian population, which may constitute crimes against humanity.”
“With little prospect of achieving justice, truth and reparation at national or regional levels, we look to all members of the UN Human Rights Council to stand with the Venezuelan people by supporting the creation of a UN Commission of Inquiry. It would send an important message to victims and perpetrators alike that the international community will not abandon them and will not allow the serious ongoing human rights violations to languish in impunity.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Amnesty International press office: [email protected]