The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) condemns the attacks by the United States against Venezuela as an unlawful use of force and a clear violation of article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter.
The ICJ also condemns the unlawful abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as a violation of international law. The ICJ is also concerned by statements made by the United States Government suggesting an intention to “run” Venezuela or to determine its political future.
The principles of the UN Charter and the right to self-determination of the Venezuelan people must be respected, and a prompt transition to democracy must be guaranteed to reestablish the rule of law and respect for human rights.
Accountability for crimes against humanity and the rights of victims
The ICJ expresses serious concern that the current developments may undermine victims’ prospects for justice for gross human rights violations and crimes under international law, including crimes against humanity, committed in Venezuela. Numerous international non-governmental organizations, including the ICJ, as well as bodies of the United Nations and the Organization of American States, have documented such crimes, and have repeatedly underscored the persistence of impunity and the lack of effective accountability.
“Any outcome that results in responsible officials not being held accountable before a competent, independent and impartial tribunal risks depriving victims of their rights to truth, justice and reparation,” said Santiago Canton, ICJ Secretary General. “Accountability for the most serious crimes under international law must not be displaced, delayed or foreclosed by proceedings that do not address those crimes.”
At the same time, the ICJ recalls that Venezuelan authorities bear responsibility for ongoing human rights violations within the country. The ICJ calls on the Venezuelan authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all individuals arbitrarily detained for political reasons, and to put an end to the practice of political persecution, arbitrary detention, torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Background
As the ICJ has previously expressed, in recent months, the United States has carried out attacks on boats claimed to be smuggling drugs into the United States, resulting in the deaths of scores of people onboard purportedly suspected of committing criminal offences. Such conduct would appear to constitute extrajudicial killings in violation of the right to life, protected under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter provides that “[a]ll Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”
For comment, please contact:
Santiago Canton, Secretary General, ICJ, +1 202 213 7251
Kate Vigneswaran, Director of the Global Accountability Initiative, ICJ, +31 624 89 4664
