AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
QUOTE
20 March 2019
Venezuela: UN report on human rights crisis is a first step towards the truth
In response to the first oral update on the human rights crisis in Venezuela that Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights, gave today at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International, said:
“Amnesty International has documented crimes under international law and grave human rights violations in Venezuela. During my visit in February, I witnessed firsthand this unprecedented crisis, which demands the highest levels of scrutiny and accountability. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ update on the situation today spoke to this reality, reflecting the dire circumstances facing the people of Venezuela.”
“Amnesty International stands by the victims of the human rights crisis in Venezuela in their fight for truth, justice and reparation. We welcome the same commitment from the United Nations’ office on human rights.”
“Given the scale and gravity of the crisis, and the severe obstacles to justice in Venezuela, Amnesty International urges the Human Rights Council to create a Commission of Inquiry to monitor and report on the increasingly grave situation in the country and to clarify responsibility for crimes under international law and gross human rights violations. We ask UN Member States to consider the need for such a mechanism in June.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Duncan Tucker: +52 1 55 4848 8266, duncan.tucker@amnesty.org
Read more:
Venezuela: Authorities must stop armed attacks against the population (News, 23 February 2019)
Venezuela: Hunger, punishment and fear, the formula for repression used by authorities under Nicolás Maduro (News, 20 February 2019)
10 things you need to know about Venezuela’s human rights crisis (News, 18 February 2019)