Venezuela: Stop arbitrary arrest of protestors

In the four days following the July 28 presidential elections in Venezuela, authorities have launched a wave of mass arrests targeting demonstrators. According to the Attorney General, around 1,062 people have been detained. Local NGOs report that at least 700 of these individuals have been charged with “terrorism,” inciting hatred, and other baseless offenses.

Credible sources indicate that detainees are being held incommunicado, without access to legal counsel. Many are being transferred to maximum security prisons, where they face a high risk of ill-treatment and torture.

We urgently call on the authorities to stop detaining people who are exercising their rights. The Attorney General must ensure that all detainees have access to lawyers of their choice and that their due process rights are fully respected.

Here’s what you can do:

Write to the Attorney General of Venezuela urging him to:

• Protect the lives and physical integrity of every detainee.
• Ensure that all detainees receive due process, including access to family members and legal counsel of their choice.

Venezuela’s Decade-Long Human Rights Crisis

For over ten years, Venezuela has been mired in a severe human rights crisis. Amnesty International has documented widespread violations, including crimes against humanity and a deepening humanitarian emergency. These conditions have forced more than 25% of the population to flee the country.

July 28 Elections and the Aftermath

On July 28, despite an environment of persecution and censorship, Venezuelans turned out in large numbers for the presidential elections. The electoral authorities declared Nicolás Maduro the winner, but the opposition disputed the results, arguing that their data did not match the official count. To this day, the electoral authority has failed to release the official results, violating Venezuelan law.

In response, mass demonstrations have erupted across the country, supporting the opposition’s claims. The government’s reaction has been swift and brutal. They have used lethal and non-lethal force, resulting in at least 11 deaths, including two teenagers. Mass arrests of political opponents, possible torture of opposition leaders, illegal home raids, and the mobilization of pro-government armed groups have become widespread. Political activists, human rights defenders, and NGOs face constant stigmatization.

The Need for International Action

The situation in Venezuela is rapidly worsening, with human rights violations growing by the hour. The months leading up to the election were marked by relentless attacks on civil liberties, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture. These violations follow a long-standing pattern that Amnesty International has been highlighting for years.

The current events are part of a broader pattern of crimes against humanity, now escalating to a level that requires urgent international intervention. The International Criminal Court’s ongoing investigation has the authority to hold those responsible for acts of detention, torture, gender-based violence, and persecution accountable. It is crucial that all perpetrators, including those in command, are brought to justice in fair and impartial courts.

Please take action as soon as possible until September 27, 2024! The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.