The following testimony was delivered by by Maria Corina Machado, on behalf of UN Watch, before the 48th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in the interactive dialogue with the UN fact-finding mission on Venezuela, 24 September 2021. An English translation follows the Spanish original.
El último informe de la misión independiente para la determinación de los hechos sobre Venezuela evidencia lo que todos sabemos: en Venezuela no hay justicia, no hay respecto a la ley.
El régimen Chavista-Madurista se propuso como todo sistema totalitario someter a la justicia.
La justicia no existe para defender el ciudadano sino para oprimirlo, para hacer intocable al régimen y sus corruptos, para imponer el terror, y los que más miedo tienen son los administradores de justicia: jueces, fiscales, funcionarios, y lo sé porque me lo dicen.
Una actuación independiente conforme a la ley es considerada una traición a la tiranía y son ellos entonces tanto instrumentos de la represión como rehenes del sistema.
Este informe demuestra en primer lugar los horrores que se cometen contra civiles y militares utilizando la justicia en Venezuela.
En segundo lugar, que no hay ni habrá justicia mientras el régimen criminal sigue en el poder.
Y, en tercer lugar, que la Corte Penal Internacional debe avanzar en la investigación por los crímenes de lesa humanidad.
Es inadmisible que engañosas negociaciones pretendan obstruir este proceso.
Mi reconocimiento a los defensores de derechos humanos, a los familiares de las víctimas y a las víctimas por su coraje y dignidad.
En Venezuela habrá justicia y la verdad no podrá borrarse.
Mi reconocimiento a ellos que no aceptarán jamás que la justicia se negocie.
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English translation
The latest report from the independent fact-finding mission on Venezuela shows what we already knew: In Venezuela there is no justice; there is no respect for the law. The Chavista-Madurista regime’s aim was, like any totalitarian system, to bend justice.
Justice does not exist to defend citizens, but to oppress them; to make the regime and its corrupt allies untouchable, to impose terror. And those who are most afraid are the ones in charge of delivering justice: the judges, prosecutors and civil servants; and I know this because they tell me.
Independent action in accordance with the law is considered a betrayal to the tyranny, so these officials are then both instruments of repression and hostages of the system. This report proves, first of all, the horrors that are committed every day against civilians and military officials through the justice system in Venezuela.
Second, that there will be no justice as long as the criminal regime remains in power; and, third, that the International Criminal Court must move forward with the investigation into crimes against humanity. The deceptive negotiations that seek to obstruct this process are unacceptable.
My solemn appreciation goes to the human rights defenders, the victims’ families and the victims themselves for their courage and dignity. There will be justice in Venezuela and the truth cannot be erased. My gratitude to those who will never accept that justice can ever be negotiated.
Rare Moment of Truth at the UN: Maria Corina Machado, a leading Venezuelan opposition figure, took the floor just now at the UN Human Rights Council to call out the gross abuses of the Maduro regime—which, absurdly, sits on the UNHRC as a member.@MariaCorinaYA @VenteVenezuela pic.twitter.com/iZ72MzFpIK
— UN Watch (@UNWatch) September 24, 2021
