They extend the work of the UN Independent Mission for Venezuela

The member countries of the UN Human Rights Council approved to extend the work of the UN Human Rights Council for two more years. Independent International Mission for Venezuelawhich in its reports has accused the government of Nicolás Maduro of serious abuses, including possible crimes against humanity.

The resolution that included this extension was approved by 23 votes in favor, six against (Algeria, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Sudan and Vietnam) and 18 abstentions on the last day of the 57th session of the Council.

The UN Independent Mission, created by the Human Rights Council itself in 2019 and whose task is to investigate violations of fundamental freedoms in Venezuela since 2014, is chaired by the Portuguese jurist Marta Valiñas and is completed by experts Francisco Cox (Chile) and Patricia Tappatá (Argentina).

The resolution urges the Venezuelan authorities to cooperate with the mission as well as with the UN Office for Human Rightswhose local representation in Venezuela was expelled in February.

The text deeply regrets that decision by the authorities and also expresses alarm at “the worsening of violations and transgressions of human rights and the increase in restrictions on civic and democratic space,” especially in the context of the presidential elections of the 28th. of July.

They ask for the release of political prisoners in Venezuela

In light of this, he urges Venezuela to “end the selective repression and persecution that are being carried out throughout the country for political reasons and release all persons arbitrarily deprived of liberty, including political prisoners«.

On the other hand, the resolution affirms that “there can only be a peaceful and democratic solution to the current crisis” in Venezuela, a solution “that concerns the Venezuelan people, without any type of foreign interference at the military level.”

The text of the resolution was initially sponsored by Argentina, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala and Uruguay, and around fifty UN members joined in its support. According to its promoters, The renewal of the mandate of the investigative mission was necessary after the worsening of the human rights situation in Venezuela with the July elections.

Cuba, Belarus, Russia and Eritrea tried to stop the approval of the text by presenting five amendments, in particular one from the Cuban delegation that expressly requested to withdraw the part of the text in which the fact-finding mission was extended.

None of the five amendments achieved the necessary 24 votes (out of 47) to move forward, despite having in all cases the yes of China and Cuba, as well as other countries.

Maduro’s government describes the measure as an instrument of coercion and blackmail

The Venezuelan delegation criticized the text of the resolution before the voteensuring that the Maduro government “does not recognize the mandates imposed under selective, politicized and double standard criteria.”

“Western countries insist on turning this Council into an instrument of coercion and blackmail, into a court of inquisition against the governments and peoples of the global south,” said the representation of Venezuela.

Cuba joined the criticism, ensuring that the UN fact-finding mission is a “false, biased and inoperative mechanism that is the antithesis of the values ​​that we committed to defend when the Human Rights Council was created.”

In the vote on the resolution, the abstention of emerging powers such as South Africa, India, Indonesia and Brazil stood out. The latter said they were against initiatives that “excessively condemn or are too prescriptive.”

The UN investigative mission has issued five complete reports since 2019 and numerous oral updates on the situation in Venezuela, denouncing extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances, torture or the use of justice as a tool for the regime’s repressive policy.

Edmundo González celebrates extension of the UN mission

Opposition leader Edmundo González celebrated the approval of the resolution which extends for two years the mandate of the International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

«This mandate has been key to documenting the serious human rights violations that affect our country and that the world has been able to learn about. Thank you to all the Venezuelan organizations that defend human rights that work tirelessly to demand respect for rights, documenting and reporting on their violation!” he said on social networks.

He also thanked the countries that supported this resolution, and reiterated the importance of the international community maintaining its firm commitment to justice and fundamental rights in Venezuela.

«The future of our country depends on this collective and sustained effort for freedom, respect for human rights and the well-being of Venezuelans. The cost of association with countries that violate rights is very high for everyone,” he added.

The United Nations Human Rights Council has taken an important step by approving the resolution that extends the mandate of the International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for two more years. This… pic.twitter.com/zL3MgOu9W2

— Edmundo González (@EdmundoGU) October 11, 2024