IACHR Follows Up on Precautionary Measures for María Corina Machado in Venezuela

December 20, 2023

Washington, DC—On December 19, 2023, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) adopted Follow-up Resolution 79/2023 regarding the situation of María Corina Machado Parisca, in Venezuela (MC-125-19), after analyzing the available information and identifying challenges relating to the the lack of response by the State.

In the Follow-up Resolution, the IACHR evaluated the information provided by Ms. Machado Parisca's representatives regarding the persistence of threats, harassment, and other acts of violence targeting her in her role as a leader of the opposition, in the current electoral context and in view of the upcoming presidential elections in Venezuela. The IACHR regretted that the State failed to respond.

Consequently, the IACHR requested that the State of Venezuela:

• Continue to take appropriate follow-up action under Article 25.10 and other provisions of the IACHR Rules of Procedure;
• Request that the State submit specific, detailed, up-to-date information on the implementation of these precautionary measures; and
• Require the State of Venezuela to:
  
  i) take the necessary steps to protect the rights to life and personal integrity of the María Corina Machado Parisca; ii) that it take the necessary steps to guarantee that the beneficiary can go about her work and participate in politics without being subject to threats, harassment, or acts of violence in the course of doing so; iii) agree on any measures to be adopted with the beneficiary and her representatives; and iv) report on the actions it implements to investigate the alleged events that led to the adoption and enforcement of these precautionary measures so as to prevent them from being repeated. In particular, the State is requested to investigate the threats and acts of violence that have been reported with due diligence, including those that may have been perpetrated against the beneficiary by State officials and/or agents.

The precautionary measures were granted on April 12, 2019 because María Corina Machado Parisca was deemed to be in a situation of risk after having received threats and harassment allegedly related to her participation in Venezuelan political life.

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. 307/23

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