Presentation of oral updates to the Geneva-based committee Human Rights CouncilHigh Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the situation in Venezuela had not improved since his last briefing in June.
“The repression of civic space has intensified, stifling citizens’ freedoms,” Mr. Türk saiddenouncing arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances, as well as growing social and economic difficulties.
He said recently passed legislation granted the government expanded emergency powers based on perceived external threats, but noted that the text remained unpublished – thereby shielding authorities from scrutiny.
Growing militarization
Public life, Türk warned, is becoming increasingly militarized, increasing the risk of violence in a society grappling with high levels of crime.
His office, OHCHRreceived reports of forced recruitment into the Bolivarian militia, including of teenagers and the elderly, as well as reports that authorities encourage citizens to report their relatives and neighbors through a state-sponsored mobile application.
“Such policies breed fear, distrust and self-censorship,” he said.
Journalists, human rights defenders, opposition figures and aid workers continue to be threatened, harassed and threatened with arbitrary detention, Türk added, pushing many into exile.
“When human rights defenders and journalists leave, truth and accountability go with them,” he warned.
Detained for exercising his civil rights
The High Commissioner expressed deep concern over detention conditions, citing persistent shortages of food and medicine and denial of family visits, affecting the physical and mental health of detainees – with fatal consequences in some cases.
While noting the release of at least 51 detainees since June, he called for the unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained simply for exercising their civil rights and an end to enforced disappearances and incommunicado detention.
He warned that attempts to strip opposition figures of their nationality violated international law.
Ukraine: silence the guns now
Regarding Ukraine, the High Commissioner said that almost four years after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, civilians are facing intensifying harm, with a 24 percent increase in casualties compared to last year, largely due to increased missile and drone attacks by Moscow.
“No part of the country is safe,” he said. saidciting nationwide strikes against energy infrastructure that have left millions without power, heat and water as winter approaches.
Mr. Türk condemned extrajudicial executions, torture and sexual violence against prisoners of war and urged Russia and Ukraine to respect international law, stressing that accountability remains essential.
“They need to silence the guns,” he stressed.
We acknowledge The European Times for the information.
