Freedom of Expression

Press release R169/22

SRFOE condemns the increase of censorship in Venezuela and reaffirms its support and commitment to the full enjoyment of press freedom in the country

July 29, 2022

Washington D.C. - Given the persistence of harassment and increased censorship against journalists in Venezuela, the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) reaffirms its support for independent journalism and its commitment to the full exercise of the right to freedom of expression in the country.

Throughout 2022, the Rapporteur’s Office has continued to document severe restrictions to the right to freedom of expression in Venezuela and the persistence of a hostile environment for the exercise of journalistic work, marked by harassment, persecution, arbitrary detentions, and stigmatizing accusations against those who investigate and actively participate in matters of public and political interest. This Office has also been informed of measures restricting the right to freedom of expression in the digital environment, for example, blackouts and cuts in Internet service and deliberate blockades against news portals and other digital platforms. The closures of media outlets, as well as the seizure of their equipment, directly or indirectly instrumented by the government, increasingly limit citizens' access to reliable information from independent sources and have generated zones of media silence in Venezuela. All these measures have created a general atmosphere of self-censorship among both the citizenry and the press that reports on matters of public relevance, such as the human rights crisis in Venezuela. The Rapporteur’s Office has observed with particular concern the situation of Venezuelan women journalists, who are the target of gender-based attacks in the exercise of their profession. As noted by various civil society organizations, women journalists are increasingly victims of campaigns of harassment, bullying and stigmatization on social networks, the main effect of which is to silence them.

The Special Rapporteur’s Office has received numerous reports on the use of criminal law against journalists for allegedly intimidating purposes, including figures such as terrorism or treason, in addition to the continued application of the Anti-Hate Law in a selective and disproportionate manner. This law orders fines and up to 20 years imprisonment for any person who disseminates information considered as promotion or incitement to hatred, discrimination or violence; and grants legal powers to censor contents that may be protected by international human rights law. According to information received at the recent public hearing on the situation of freedom of expression in Venezuela at the 184th Period of Sessions of the IACHR, since its entry into force in 2017, this law has been used to delegitimize and criminalize anyone who questions or criticizes government management or persons exercising public functions. This Office has previously pointed out that the Anti-Hate Law disregards and suppresses the free exercise of the right to freedom of thought and expression, and that it should be rendered null and void.

The right to freedom of expression is one of the fundamental pillars to protect democracy and the rule of law. The Special Rapporteur’s Office has insisted on other occasions that journalism is called to be exercised as a function of democracy and human rights, just as democracy must seek to be accompanied by professional journalism. It is the duty of States to provide the necessary guarantees so that journalists can exercise their profession freely, independently, and safely.

The Rapporteur’s Office condemns the attacks and reprisals perpetrated from governmental spheres against the press and urges the State of Venezuela to respect and guarantee the right to freedom of expression, particularly of those who contribute with their work to the strengthening of public deliberation and freedom of expression, such as journalists and communicators. The Special Rapporteur’s Office also invites the international community to redouble its efforts to accompany and support the work of Venezuelan journalists, and to continue working to promote and restore full guarantees for the exercise of freedom of expression in Venezuela.

See here the Joint Declaration on freedom of expression in Venezuela signed by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, and the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the OAS, Pedro Vaca Villarreal, on August 30, 2022.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to stimulate the hemispheric defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression, considering its fundamental role in the consolidation and development of the democratic system.

R169/22