Ahead of President Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration for a new term on January 10, the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela has called on the government to respect fundamental human rights, particularly those related to life, liberty, and personal security. The mission’s appeal also includes demands for the immediate release of individuals who have been arbitrarily detained.
Between August and December 2024, the mission documented the detention of at least 56 political opposition activists, 10 journalists, and one human rights defender by Venezuelan authorities. The mission emphasized the continued pattern of arbitrary arrests and noted the severe conditions facing detainees, many of whom have been subjected to “inhuman, cruel, and degrading treatment” while in custody.
Concerns Over Arbitrary Detention and Treatment of Vulnerable Detainees
The fact-finding mission pointed out the need for special protection for detainees who are elderly or suffering from health issues. It also urged authorities to take into account the best interests of children who are still involved in legal proceedings. The mission emphasized Venezuela’s international obligations to uphold the rights of these vulnerable groups and ensure their safety while in detention.
Patricia Tappatá, one of the mission’s experts, expressed concern over the government’s targeting of perceived political opponents, describing it as part of a broader “systematic attack on the freedom of those who think differently.” Although some individuals, including children, were released from detention, many remain under precautionary measures and face the risk of being charged with terrorism or treason.
Call for Peaceful Protest and Free Expression
Marta Valiñas, the chair of the mission, highlighted the urgent need for Venezuelan authorities to protect the rights of citizens to engage in peaceful protest and freely express their views without fear of retaliation. She called on security forces to adhere strictly to international standards when maintaining public order and to refrain from using excessive force. Valiñas stressed that any violations of human rights should be promptly and impartially investigated, with a commitment to due process and independent judicial oversight.
Reports of violent repression of protests have been on the rise following the announcement of Maduro’s victory in the disputed 2024 election. Maduro received 51 percent of the vote, while opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia secured 44 percent. In response to the protests that erupted after the election, high-ranking officials, including Maduro, made threatening statements, promising severe punishment for demonstrators and warning that “this time there would be no forgiveness.”
Ongoing Monitoring and International Concern
The fact-finding mission, which operates under the mandate of the UN Human Rights Council, will continue to closely monitor developments in Venezuela, particularly around the time of the presidential inauguration. This is part of a broader international effort to hold Venezuelan authorities accountable for their treatment of political opposition, human rights defenders, and those exercising their right to free speech.
The UN’s call for the protection of human rights in Venezuela comes amid mounting concerns over the erosion of democratic freedoms in the country. The UN mission’s findings serve as a reminder of the international community’s ongoing focus on the human rights situation in Venezuela, particularly as the country prepares for Maduro’s controversial second-term inauguration.
Image “human-rights” by Wesley fryer on Flickr
