Amnesty International welcomes the renewal of the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela as a sign of support for the countless victims of grave human rights violations that have been, and continue to be, committed in the country.
During its 51st session, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution renewing the mandate of the International Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, created by the same body in September 2019, for two more years. In response, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International, stated:
“Amnesty International welcomes the renewal of the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela as a sign of support for the countless victims of grave human rights violations that have been, and continue to be, committed in the country. UN Human Rights Council member states who voted in favour of the renewal listened to Venezuelan and international civil society organizations who have spent months calling for the renewal of the mandate of this investigative mechanism. We regret that several states in the Americas, including Argentina, Honduras and Mexico, turned their backs on this call and on the human rights of victims.”
Amnesty International welcomes the renewal of the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela as a sign of support and backing for the countless victims of grave human rights violations that have been, and continue to be, committed in the country.
Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International
“The Mission’s conclusive research and public reports are essential tools in victims’ and organizations’ struggle for the right to truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition. So far, they concluded that there are sufficient grounds to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed in Venezuela; that the judicial system functions as a tool for repression; and that there is a policy of repression orchestrated by the highest authorities and intelligence services against those who are, or may be perceived as, opponents of Nicolás Maduro’s government. Individual authorities – possible perpetrators – have also been identified and must be investigated by competent and impartial courts, including those outside Venezuela exercising universal jurisdiction.”
“Such resounding findings are invaluable for victims and civil society in Venezuela and could also contribute to the ongoing investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, as well as serving as a deterrent against future crimes and human rights violations.”
