Brussels, 15 August 2024
Statement by the High Representative on the publication of the interim report of UN Panel of Experts on presidential elections:
“I welcome the decision by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to make the interim report of the United Nations Panel of Experts public. The Panel was invited by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) to assess the overall conduct of the elections within the framework of the Barbados Agreement. This timely report sheds light on the electoral process and highlights the lack of substantiation for the results announced by Venezuelan authorities.
The report establishes that election day on 28 July took place in a largely peaceful environment and was logistically well organized. However, the announcement of the election outcome without the publication of its details or the release of tabulated results to candidates is extremely concerning. The report clarifies that the CNE postponed and subsequently cancelled three key post-electoral audits. It concludes that “the results management process of the CNE fell short of the basic transparency and integrity measures that are essential to holding credible elections”.
I also take note that the UN Panel of Experts confirms, in line with the reviews and assessments of several independent organizations, the reliability of the copies of the electoral records published by the opposition. According to these published copies of the ‘actas,’ Edmundo González Urrutia would appear to be the winner of the Presidential elections by a significant majority.
In a democracy, results must be complete and independently verifiable to be recognized. At this critical time, the European Union reiterates its call for the Venezuelan electoral authorities to publish and independently verify the electoral records. The international community must defend the democratic process and ensure the conditions for the Venezuelan people to exercise their civil and political rights.
We welcome the efforts by regional partners to promote a Venezuelan-led dialogue that reflects the will of the people as expressed at the polls, provides guarantees to both sides, and leads to a democratic transition. Respecting the will of the Venezuelan people remains the only way for Venezuela to restore democracy and to solve the current humanitarian and socio-economic crisis. Venezuelan authorities must put an end to arbitrary detentions and repression against members of the opposition and civil society, and release all political prisoners.”
Source – EEAS
UN rights experts call for an end to post-election repression in Venezuela
The Venezuelan Government must immediately end escalating repression that has come in the wake of the disputed presidential election last month, a UN Human Rights Council-appointed body investigating alleged rights abuses there said on Monday.
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission also urged the authorities to thoroughly investigate a spate of grave rights violations that are currently occurring in the South American country.
Venezuelans went to the polls on 28 July and President Nicolás Maduro was formally declared the winner the following day, securing a third term in office.
Fierce repression, climate of fear
The UN Fact-Finding Mission noted that in the weeks since the vote, street protests and criticism on social media have been met with fierce repression by the State, as directed by its highest authorities, inducing a climate of widespread fear.
The independent rights experts recorded 23 deaths between the period from 28 July to 8 August, the vast majority caused by gunfire. Most victims, 18, were men under the age of 30.
“The reported deaths during the protests must be thoroughly investigated, and if the excessive use of lethal force by security forces and the involvement of armed civilians acting in collusion with them are confirmed, those responsible must be held accountable,” said Marta Valiñas, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission.
She stressed that “victims and their families deserve justice.”
Thousands arbitrarily detained
After analyzing data published by various human rights organizations, the Mission said it can preliminarily conclude that at least 1,260 people have been detained in Venezuela since 28 July, including 160 women.
Most detentions, 18 per cent, occurred in the capital district, followed by the states of Carabobo and Anzoátegui. Data from the Attorney General’s office indicates that at least 2,200 people, indiscriminately labeled as “terrorists,” have been detained.
The Mission members have identified common elements in the detentions, which qualify them as arbitrary and constitute serious violations of due process, thus leaving individuals unprotected within the justice system.
They said these elements include summary hearings conducted remotely by the Terrorism Courts in the capital, Caracas, even if the events occurred elsewhere.
The mission is also looking into the imposition of serious criminal charges – such as terrorism, conspiracy, and hate crimes – without supporting evidence, or applied in a disproportionate manner; the denial of information to family members, or the provision of late and incomplete information, and preventing detainees from appointing their own legal counsel.
“All individuals arbitrarily detained must be released immediately,” said Patricia Tappatá, an expert of the Mission. “The authorities must strictly adhere to international standards regarding due process and detention conditions, using formal channels to communicate with family members.”
Children detained
The Mission said that among those detained are leaders, members and supporters of political parties, journalists, and human rights defenders, considered or perceived by the authorities to be in opposition.
The vast majority, however, were simply individuals who voiced their rejection of the presidential election results announced by the authorities. Many of the detentions occurred after individuals participated in protests or expressed their opinions on social media, with authorities selectively targeting them at their homes.
The experts have received particularly concerning information about the detention of over 100 children and adolescents who have been charged with the same serious crimes as adults. Moreover, they said these children have not been accompanied by their parents or guardians during judicial proceedings.
“The Mission strongly recalls the obligation to ensure that detained children are treated in strict compliance with international child protection obligations, respecting their best interests,” said Francisco Cox, another of the experts.
About the Fact-Finding Mission
The UN Human Rights Council established the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in September 2019, expressing grave concern over the rights situation in the country.
The Mission was given an initial mandate of one year, which was subsequently extended.
The three experts who serve on the Mission are not UN staff and they are not paid for their work.
Source – United Nations