Venezuela: Ahead of presidential inauguration, international organisations call for respect for human rights

We, the undersigned international organisations, reiterate our deep concern about the human rights situation in Venezuela, particularly in the context of the upcoming presidential inauguration, scheduled for 10 January 2025, as established by the Venezuelan Constitution.

The 28 July 2024 elections were marked by serious irregularities. The National Electoral Council did not publish detailed results nor did it carry out the audits required by law; decisions that were endorsed by the Electoral Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, whose lack of independence and impartiality is widely documented. Given Nicolás Maduro’s intention to assume a new term in office without clear evidence to support his election, democratic leaders have called for demonstrations on 9 January to demand transparency and respect for the civil and political rights of the population.

In this context, we denounce the alarming toll of continuous and systematic State repression: more than 2,000 people were arbitrarily detained after the post-electoral protests and, as of 30 December 2024, 1,794 remained deprived of their liberty, including three minors. According to the Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, there are 120 foreign nationals in detention. The authorities have continued to use a pattern of short term forced disappearance, refusing to provide information on the person’s whereabouts for several days after their detention. Additionally, the undersigned organisations are aware of at least 31 individuals who remain missing, after weeks and even months of their presumed detention.

Three people have died in State custody, and cases of torture and murder still lack justice. In addition, those who have been released from prison are now facing criminal proceedings, which constitutes a clear violation of their fundamental rights.

We urge the Venezuelan State to comply with its international obligations to:

• release all individuals arbitrarily detained
• guarantee the right to peaceful demonstration, freedom of expression, association and assembly, and
• investigate and prosecute the serious human rights violations documented.

We also call on the authorities to prevent further abuses and ensure full respect for the rights of the entire population.

We call on the international community and human rights organisations to closely monitor the situation in Venezuela and to employ available diplomatic means to demand an end to the repression and to seek peaceful mechanisms that uphold popular sovereignty. It is of the utmost importance that these new developments do not result in further suffering for the Venezuelan people.

Signatures:

• The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
• Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
• Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
• International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
• Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF)
• Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL)