UN rights experts condemn Venezuela for ‘systematic and pervasive’ violations News
© WikiMedia (Valentin Guerrero)
UN rights experts condemn Venezuela for ‘systematic and pervasive’ violations

UN human rights experts condemned the Venezuelan government Thursday over reports that authorities violated the rights of demonstrators during a crackdown by the government.

The UN experts claim that reports show a consistent, “systematic and pervasive disregard for humans rights displayed by the Venezuelan authorities during their crackdown on protestors, journalist and human rights defenders.” During the crackdown more than 1,000 individuals were reportedly detained, including minors who were held “incommunicado for days.” In addition, the reports indicate that “26 people were killed by security forces and pro-government paramilitary groups while taking part in demonstrations.” Individuals injured by government authorities have not received adequate treatment because of the country’s insufficient medical resources.

The UN human rights experts called for Venezuelan authorities to conduct an investigation into “all deaths which have occurred during the ongoing protests, and to release all of those who have been detained for legitimately exercising their human rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.” In addition, they stated that the government of Venezuela should allow “dissenting voices to be heard, without fear of threats or violence.”