The ICJ today delivered a statement before the UN Human Rights Council during the consideration of the report by Venezuela in the third cycle of the UN Universal Periodic Review.
The statement reads as follows:
“Mister President
The ICJ and PROVEA welcome the participation of Venezuelan civil society in the UPR, which reflects their interest in the success of this mechanism. We welcome Venezuela’s acceptance of the recommendations on cooperation with the High Commissioner’s Office. We trust that, since this acceptance was reached by involving concerned State agencies, it will translate into a higher level of compliance with these recommendations.
However, we regret that only the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, has visited Venezuela, despite the authorities’ commitment to invite 10 Special procedures. We urge Venezuela to respond positively to visit requests, in particular those by the Special Rapporteurs on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and on the independence of judges and lawyers; to expand cooperation with the OHCHR and comply recommendations made by the Treaty Bodies.
We regret that Venezuela has not accepted recommendations about independence of the judiciary aimed at ensuring that the justice system is not used as an instrument to political persecution to dissent opinions, and the government’s lack of cooperation with the International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM).
Finally, we call for the implementation by Venezuela of these recommendations by fully cooperating with the FFM whose mandate must be renewed.
Thank you.”
Contact:
Massimo Frigo, ICJ UN Representative, e: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org, t: +41797499949