IACHR requests I/A Court H.R. to grant provisional measures for Hugo Enrique Marino Salas in Venezuela

June 12, 2023

Washington, D.C.- The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) requested the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (I/A Court H.R.) to grant provisional measures in favor of Hugo Enrique Marino Salas in Venezuela, who is facing an extremely serious and urgent situation presenting a risk of irreparable harm to his rights.

The IACHR recalls that it granted precautionary measures in favor of Mr. Hugo Enrique Marino Salas on October 23, 2019, through Resolution 54/2019. Despite the Commission's repeated actions to obtain information from the State of Venezuela, no response has been received regarding the measures adopted to protect the life and integrity of Mr. Marino Salas.

Based on the information available and despite the domestic actions launched by the representation and family, the Commission informed the I/A Court H.R. that it does not know where Mr. Hugo Enrique Marino Salas is currently located, following his detention by officials of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) on April 20, 2019, after landing at the airport in Caracas, Venezuela.

For the request for provisional measures, the IACHR takes into account the available information that allows it to support compliance with an extremely serious and urgent situation presenting a risk of irreparable harm. In the evaluation process, the request is made taking into account the problem posed, the effectiveness of the actions, and how vulnerable the persons would be left if the provisional measures are not adopted. At all times, the context in which the facts that motivate the request take place is considered.

Provisional measures are issued by the I/A Court H.R. in cases of extreme gravity and urgency to avoid irreparable harm to persons; they are mandatory for States and the decisions contained therein require States to adopt specific actions to safeguard rights and/or protect the lives of persons or groups that are under threat.

The IACHR is a principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate derives from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission is mandated to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR is composed of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 117/23

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