IACHR Reviews and Modifies Precautionary Measures Granted to Américo de Grazia in Venezuela

August 17, 2024

Washington, D.C. — On August 17, 2024, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) adopted Follow-Up and Modification Resolution No. 51/2024 regarding the situation of Américo de Grazia in Venezuela (MC-359-16).

In the resolution, the IACHR analyzed the lack of measures taken to protect the beneficiary. The IACHR expressed its regret that the State has failed to provide significant information or implement protective measures, which exposed the beneficiary and placed him in a vulnerable position, given the context in Venezuela.

Américo de Grazia's representatives reported that his whereabouts have been unknown since August 8, 2024, after State officials allegedly detained him. There has been no official information regarding his whereabouts or state of health since. The IACHR was informed that reports have been filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Ombud's Office, and the Public Defender's Office, but that the beneficiary's representatives have been unable to contact him or ascertain his location and circumstances.

After analyzing the factual and legal allegations in light of the repression that has followed the recent elections in Venezuela, the IACHR expressed particular concern over the ongoing risk the beneficiary has been exposed and the lack of protective measures adopted by the State. This risk has increased given that the official whereabouts of Américo de Grazia have remained unknown since August 8, 2024, after he was allegedly arbitrarily detained by State agents in Caracas, Venezuela. In the IACHR's opinion, the current situation of the beneficiary is part of a series of events targeting him that seek to remove him from the public sphere given the current context in Venezuela, after he allegedly published a complaint about the arrest of a union leader on the social media platform X. Therefore, in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR requests that the State of Venezuela

1. take the necessary measures to protect the right to life, personal integrity, and health of Américo de Grazia;
2. take the necessary measures to ensure that the beneficiary can carry out his work as an opposition leader in Venezuela without being subjected to threats, harassment, or acts of violence;
3. provide information as to whether the beneficiary is in the custody of the State and of his circumstances, or of the measures being taken to ascertain his whereabouts or fate;
4. agree on any measures to be taken with the beneficiary and his representatives; and
5. report on the measures taken to investigate the alleged events that gave rise to the adoption of this precautionary measure to prevent them from being repeated.

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. 187/24

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