UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reiterates request for the release of arbitrarily detained in Venezuela

(CNN Spanish) – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, reiterated this Monday her request for “full release of all people arbitrarily detained” in Venezuela.

In his latest report, presented at the opening of the 48th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, he noted that his office evaluated and made recommendations to address concerns related to detention centers.

In addition, he expressed his concern about the “absence of public data” to adequately monitor and report on State policies. In that sense, the high commissioner highlighted the role of civil society and affirmed that it must be protected.

Bachelet also warned of restrictions and continuous reports of intimidation and criminalization of human rights defenders and union leaders in the country.

In a statement published this Monday by the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry, they reject the “false assertions” about arbitrary detentions or persecution of human rights defenders. They added that they will continue to cooperate with the office of the high commissioner “as a mechanism that allows raising the truth of Venezuela before this instance.”

On the other hand, Bachelet also reiterated his call for countries to lift sector sanctions against Venezuela. He considered that the humanitarian and economic situation in the South American country “was aggravated both by the covid-19 pandemic and by sector sanctions, further limiting access to basic services.”

While acknowledging the work of the government of questioned President Nicolás Maduro to overcome the challenges of the pandemic, he said that this meant diverting scarce resources from other necessary medical treatments, further accentuating the shortage in the health sector. And he warned that this left professionals and other vulnerable groups at risk.

Regarding the economic situation, although it poses some improvements in recent years, he pointed out that income continues to be “dramatically low and insufficient” to guarantee an adequate standard of living. “I encourage the strengthening of access to basic services, particularly for the most vulnerable groups and with special attention to equal access and non-discrimination,” said the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Lastly, Bachelet was confident that the dialogue between the government and the opposition will lead to “significant solutions” and greater advances in the protection of human rights.