UN Human Rights Council 56: UK Statement on human rights situation in Venezuela

Thank you, Ms Vice-President.

We are less than a month before elections in Venezuela, and we are really worried by what we are seeing in terms of political repression, arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances.

We condemn the ongoing harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders, journalists, and the political opposition. And we are concerned at the threat to remaining civic space through the proposed NGO law. As Venezuela approaches these elections, we think it is really imperative to ensure that all candidates, the political opposition, and civil society can all operate without fear of reprisal.

High Commissioner,

We continue to call for the unconditional return of your Office to Venezuela. We reaffirm our commitment to its mandate and that of the Fact-Finding Mission and call for their renewal in September at this Council. Their work is essential to ending human rights violations, particularly for vulnerable populations.

High Commissioner,

It has been three years now since the arbitrary detention of human rights defender Javier Tarazona, whilst Rocío San Miguel and many others also remain detained. What prospects do you see for an improvement to the current situation?

Thank you.