IACHR

Press Release

IACHR grants precautionary measures in favor of Alonso José Mora Alfonso at “Ramo Verde” in Venezuela.

April 8, 2020

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Washington, D.C. - On April 8, 2020, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) adopted Resolution 17/2020, through which it granted precautionary measures in favor of Alonso José Mora Alfonso, who is currently deprived of liberty at the National Center for Accused Members of the Military (CENAPROMIL, also known as “Ramo Verde”).

The IACHR noted that the beneficiary was mainly at risk due to his state of health, lack of access to appropriate or sufficient medical treatment and detention conditions. In addition to reporting that the latter placed him in an even more vulnerable position, the applicants indicated that the beneficiary was allegedly subject to acts of violence and intimidations within the framework of his deprivation of liberty.

After analyzing the available information, the IACHR deemed that there was sufficient justification that the requirements set out in Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure had been met. It therefore requested that Venezuela take the necessary measures to protect the rights to life, personal integrity and health of Mr. Alonso José Mora Alfonso, by ensuring that he has access to medical treatment, as indicated by the relevant experts. In that regard, the authorities must submit in a timely manner a medical report certifying the current health situation of the beneficiary, also sharing this information with his relatives. Furthermore, the State must carry out the necessary actions so that his detention conditions are compliant with the applicable international standards. Moreover, Venezuela must implement the actions aimed at investigating the facts that motivated the granting of this precautionary measure and thus avoid their repetition.

The fact that this precautionary measure has been granted and its adoption by the state does not entail a prejudgment on any petition that may eventually be filed before the inter-American system to allege that the rights protected by the applicable international instruments.

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. 070/20