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OAS Secretary General Expresses Concern over the Absence of Political Dialogue between Venezuelans

  May 1, 2013

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, today expressed concern over the acts of violence that took place yesterday in the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and noted that "this reflects, in a dramatic way, the absence of a political dialogue that could reassure the public and the branches of government, in order to resolve the outstanding issues in this country in a climate of peace between all Venezuelans."

The OAS leader supported the statement of President Nicolas Maduro in favor of the creation of a peaceful environment in the Assembly and requested his efforts to reestablish the inalienable right of members of parliament to speak freely in the exercise of their functions. "That could be a first step toward opening a dialogue between Venezuelans, something we all hope for and respect," added the OAS Secretary General.

The leader of the hemispheric organization added that the place where this dialogue should begin is the Parliament, because "it is the natural meeting place of the democratic system, the republican institution par excellence, where all ideas should be able to be freely expressed." In this regard, Secretary General Insulza regretted the decision of the President of the Assembly not to allow those who do not recognize the outcome of the election to speak, because such a measure, "rather than promote dialogue, prevents it." "The right to dissent by peaceful means is essential in democracy," he said.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-169/13