Situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Condemnatory

Yes

Analysis

• The resolution strongly condemns serious violations by the government of Venezuela, including arbitrary detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings, noting that some of these may amount to crimes against humanity. It also criticizes the lack of independence of the judiciary and widespread political repression, and extends the mandate of the independent international fact-finding mission.
• Venezuela strongly opposed the resolution.
• Moreover, the resolution was adopted under Item 4, the primary framework for addressing country-specific human rights situations, signaling criticism.

Main Sponsors

Canada, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, Uruguay

Vote

Yes - 23, No - 6, Abstain - 18, Absent - 0

See Full Vote

Key Praise

None

Key Criticism

• "Strongly condemns all violations and abuses of international human rights law in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, some of which, according to the independent international fact-finding mission, may amount to crimes against humanity."
• "Also urges the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to respect, protect and fulfil the right of citizens to take part in the conduct of public affairs and the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and urges the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to cease its ongoing nationwide targeted repression and persecution on political grounds…"
• "Calls upon the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to cease immediately all acts of intimidation, attacks, harassment, surveillance, reprisals and public defamation of opposition leaders, peaceful protesters, journalists and other media workers, lawyers, human rights defenders, persons who served in the electoral process, including as electoral observers, Indigenous Peoples and other civil society stakeholders…"
• "Urges the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to immediately and unconditionally release all arbitrarily detained persons, including political prisoners…"
• "Denounces the adoption of legislation that restricts the right of citizens to take part in the conduct of public affairs and the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association…"
• "Expresses deep concern that the continued erosion of the rule of law…"
• "Calls upon parties in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to engage in the preparation of a process that will ensure the holding of free and fair local, regional and legislative elections…"
• "Decides to extend for a period of two years the mandate of the independent international fact-finding mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela."