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Statement of the OAS Secretary General on the words of President Hugo Chávez regarding the report of the IACHR

  February 25, 2010

“In effect, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is the body of the OAS charged with examining matters of Human Rights raised by citizens of the continent, and with issuing reports on Human Rights in the various member countries. It is an entity composed of seven members elected by the General Assembly, and they enjoy full autonomy in issuing their rulings and reports. Therefore it is a commission created by member states, and it has been active for more than 20 years in the continent.

A constructive way of moving forward in this case would be for the Government of Venezuela to agree to discuss the report and recommendations made by the Commission, as other countries on which reports have been issued have done in the past. The Government of Venezuela however has not yet deemed it convenient to welcome the Commission. A direct dialogue would be the best way to clear up doubts and differences to improve what needs improvement on a subject so crucial to democracy as is Human Rights.”

Reference: E-054/10