Venezuela unrest: Pillay urges respect for human rights, and halt to inflammatory rhetoric
GENEVA
(28 February 2014) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay
on Friday condemned the violence that has occurred over several weeks of
unrest in Venezuela and urged the Government to ensure respect for
freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.“The inflammatory rhetoric from all sides is utterly
unhelpful and risks escalating the tense situation in the country,”
Pillay stressed. “It is time for all sides to move beyond verbal
aggression and towards meaningful dialogue. This crisis will only be
resolved if the human rights of all Venezuelans are respected.”Pillay also expressed deep concern at the reported
excessive use of force by the authorities in response to protests,
including those that took place in Caracas yesterday. The High
Commissioner unequivocally condemned the violence leading to death and
injuries, irrespective of the perpetrators. She called on all sides to
renounce the use of violence.At least 140 people have been injured and 13 people have
died since the beginning of the unrest, according to the General Public
Prosecutor.
Noting that 11 police and intelligence officers have
been arrested in connection with violence during the protests, she urged
an impartial, full and independent investigation into every case of
death and injury, and for those responsible to be brought to justice.According to the latest knownofficial figures, 579 people have been arrested since the unrest in the country began earlier this month. “I am concerned that a very large number of people have
been arrested and we have reports indicating that some of them are being
held incommunicado. I urge the authorities to ensure that people are
not penalised for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and to
freedom of expression,” said Pillay.“Those who are being detained merely for exercising
these rights must be promptly released. All cases must be handled
according to international standards of due process.”“Concrete action by the authorities, including through
full and independent investigations, releasing peaceful protestors who
have been detained, as well as disarming armed groups, will go a long
way towards defusing tensions and paving the ground for a way through
the crisis,” the High Commissioner said.Pillay stressed that the Government must ensure that law
enforcement officials act in line with international standards at all
times and under any circumstances.
(28 February 2014) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay
on Friday condemned the violence that has occurred over several weeks of
unrest in Venezuela and urged the Government to ensure respect for
freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
unhelpful and risks escalating the tense situation in the country,”
Pillay stressed. “It is time for all sides to move beyond verbal
aggression and towards meaningful dialogue. This crisis will only be
resolved if the human rights of all Venezuelans are respected.”
excessive use of force by the authorities in response to protests,
including those that took place in Caracas yesterday. The High
Commissioner unequivocally condemned the violence leading to death and
injuries, irrespective of the perpetrators. She called on all sides to
renounce the use of violence.
died since the beginning of the unrest, according to the General Public
Prosecutor.
Noting that 11 police and intelligence officers have
been arrested in connection with violence during the protests, she urged
an impartial, full and independent investigation into every case of
death and injury, and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
been arrested and we have reports indicating that some of them are being
held incommunicado. I urge the authorities to ensure that people are
not penalised for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and to
freedom of expression,” said Pillay.
these rights must be promptly released. All cases must be handled
according to international standards of due process.”
full and independent investigations, releasing peaceful protestors who
have been detained, as well as disarming armed groups, will go a long
way towards defusing tensions and paving the ground for a way through
the crisis,” the High Commissioner said.
enforcement officials act in line with international standards at all
times and under any circumstances.
