With international accountability urgently needed, and amid intensifying post-election repression, the UN Human Rights Council should renew the mandate of its Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, 29 national and international organisations defending human rights in Venezuela said today.
Pressure is increasing on the Venezuelan authorities as human rights bodies and States in the region and beyond denounce repression and call for respect of rights. At the upcoming Human Rights Council session, the push for the respect of rights must continue with the renewal of key mandates.
ISHR joins calls for all violence and repression against protestors at the hands of law enforcement and armed 'colectivos' to cease and for the Maduro government to take urgent steps to ensure the right to protest.
Given the lack of transparency around the Presidential election in Venezuela, NGOs call on the international community to insist on independent verification of electoral results.
‘We strongly believe that we must push the gender perspective, that we must work with the present and future generations, and that also puts their lives at risk, because they are looking for their birthright. And [these risks] should not be normalised in our world, as we look to reach what is known as climate justice.'
Last month, human rights defenders from around the world excelled during ISHR’s flagship training, the Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP). For a week and a half, participants engaged with Special Procedures, diplomats and other stakeholders, delivered statements to the Human Rights Council, met with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and more!
During the annual Panel on the adverse effects of climate change on human rights, woman human rights defender Yannia Visuetti gave a strong statement about the situation in Latin America.
At the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism called for a second International Decade for People of African Descent, exchanging with States and defenders on ways promote racial equity.
Between 9 and 11 July 2024, ISHR together with Colombian partners Asosciaciación Minga, the Colombian Commission of Jurists and the Somos Defensores Program organised a cross regional discussion on protection mechanisms for human rights defenders.
'With everything happening around the world, the international community may be stretched thin, but it’s very important to look at places that may not have as much public visibility.'
