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We did it! On 7 October 2022, the Human Rights Council renewed the vital mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Venezuela and the reporting mandate of OHCHR for another two years, with 19 votes in favour, 5 votes against and 23 abstentions.
ISHR, together with a coalition of Venezuelan and international organisations had campaigned for the renewal of the mandate, highlighting the importance of the FFM in investigating violations and its potential as a deterrent for further atrocities.
We will continue to support human rights defenders and organisations in Venezuela with their crucial work and collaboration with the Mission and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the country.
Venezuelan and international civil society groups and defenders have welcomed this outcome, as both the Mission and OHCHR have proved effective at highlighting gross violations committed by the Maduro regime. Both bodies have ensured the attention of the international community has remained on Venezuela despite multiple global crises. The Mission has also provided victims of violations with the hope that perpetrators will be held to account.
We hope this renewal will put more pressure on the Maduro government and make it clear they will not escape accountability for their crimes.Clara Ramírez, interim director of FundaRedes
The FFM plays a key preventative role in making gross violations of civil and political rights visible.Wanda Cedeño, coordinator of Voto Joven
A newly-released confidential letter by a UN Special Rapporteur documents the disbarment of human rights lawyers in China and the tightening ideological control over lawyers and law firms. The UN expert denounces disappearances, closed-door trials, harassment of relatives, travel bans, and other abuses targeting human rights lawyers.
On Tuesday 16 April 2024, ISHR delivered to both Geneva’s Administrative Council and its legislative counterpart, the Municipal Council, physical copies of the more than 1000 signatures collected in support of a memorial honouring Chinese human rights defender Cao Shunli.
The 79th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will be held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 14 May to 3 June 2024. The session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will be held in hybrid format from the 11-13 May 2024.
