ICC Victims Office criticizes prosecutor Karim Khan’s lack of progress in Venezuela case

In a letter dated November 22, the Public Office for the Defense of Victims (OPCV) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) recently criticized the Prosecutor Karim Khan’s lack of progress in the investigation of crimes against humanity committed in Venezuela.

“Many victims have expressed a deep sense of frustration, feeling that the prosecutor has not given the difficult situation (in Venezuela) the same priority as other situations where investigations have moved more quickly and have resulted in the issuance of several warrants.” of arrest. “They wonder why the crimes and suffering they have suffered appear to be treated with less urgency compared to those that affect victims in other contexts,” the OPCV noted in the text addressed to the ICC Appeals Chamber.

On the occasion of the challenge presented against Khan for alleged conflicts of interest, the Public Office for the Defense of Victims warned that victims have been waiting for justice for a long time and have the right to quick and fair procedures. However, since June 2023, when the ICC Prosecutor’s Office resumed the investigation into Venezuela, There has been no concrete progress towards opening a case or issuing arrest warrants against defendants.

“This prolonged period without concrete action and the opening of a case is worrying since, in general, an investigation should be initiated without delay and carried out efficiently to be effective, since over time, the memories of the “Witnesses vanish, witnesses may die or become untraceable, evidence deteriorates or ceases to exist, and therefore the prospects for an effective investigation can be carried out increasingly diminish,” the office warned. .

ICC Victims Office questions Kham’s silence in the face of post-electoral events in Venezuela

In the text, the OPCV pointed out that the victims’ sense of injustice has been aggravated by the current situation in Venezuela after the elections of July 28, 2024, when the government of Nicolás Maduro increased repression.

That is why They questioned that the Prosecutor has not taken a public position on the recent crimes committed in the aftermath of the presidential elections.

“This lack of public comment, coupled with his apparent inaction, raises concern among victims and their families regarding the Prosecutor’s commitment to address the current serious situation and ensure that the investigation continues to respond to new developments,” they added.

“The high number of arrests of children and adolescents (including people with disabilities), which represents 10% of the total number of arrests documented by various NGOs, is an alarming figure, given their vulnerability,” they warned.