IACHR Welcomes Release of Political Prisoners in Venezuela

December 29, 2023

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) welcomes the release from prison of several individuals who had been deprived of liberty for political reasons in Venezuela. At the same time, the Commission calls for the immediate, unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners in the country.

On December 20, Venezuelan authorities reported on the release of at least 21 individuals who had been deprived of liberty for political reasons. This put an end to months (in some cases, years) of arbitrary imprisonment in deplorable conditions of detention for many government critics and individuals who were regarded as government critics and for people who had legitimately exercised their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association.

While the Commission welcomes these releases, it calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and calls on the State to urgently take measures to restore the independence of the judiciary and to definitively end political persecution.

Arbitrarily arresting government critics, unjustifiably imposing pretrial detention, and failing to comply with due process all expose once again the lack of independence and impartiality in the administration of justice in Venezuela in the face of government interests. The Commission stresses that the separation, independence, and balance of powers within the State are essential for democracy and for the effective exercise of human rights.

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. 330/23

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