IACHR Urges Venezuela to End Political Persecution and to Enable Free Elections

July 8, 2024

Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression condemn political persecution against individuals who are perceived as critics by the Venezuelan government. The IACHR and its Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression call on the State to guarantee that the elections of July 28 will be free, fair, and participatory.

In 2024 so far, a total of at least 50 activists, trade-union leaders, journalists, and individuals working for opposition campaigns have been arrested in Venezuela. Ten commercial buildings used for opposition campaign meetings have been shut down and opposition campaign convoys have been stopped at road checkpoints. Further, several opposition leaders have denounced media outlet shutdowns and a lack of airtime on public radio and television for candidates who are not ruling-party candidates.

The IACHR and its Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression find that these are not isolated incidents. Rather, they reflect a persecution pattern aimed at discouraging political participation among the opposition and among the Venezuelan people as a whole. These attacks against democracy and these arbitrary restrictions of freedom of expression, association, and assembly seek to enable the ruling party to remain in power indefinitely.

The State of Venezuela urgently needs to enforce its commitment to democracy. This requires a reconstruction of the separation and independence of the different branches of government, in order to end political persecution, ensure respect for freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and enable the opposition to take part in Venezuelan politics on an equal footing with the ruling party.

In an election context in particular, democratic debate requires the greatest possible circulation and exchange of ideas, opinions, and information about candidates, their parties, and their proposals, mainly through the media, through candidates themselves, and through anyone seeking to express their views.

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.

The Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression is an office created by the IACHR to promote the defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression in the Americas, considering the fundamental role that right plays in the consolidation and development of any democratic system.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up 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.

No. 159/24

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