The Maduro dictatorship expelled the United Nations mission in Venezuela

Dictatorship Nicolas Maduro On Thursday, it suspended the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Caracas, created in 2019, saying they had “exploited” their work against the executive. He also ordered Your employees leave in 72 hours.

This announcement comes after the statement published by the United Nations mission, in which it expressed its “deep concern” about the arrest of Venezuelan activist Rocio San Miguel, a critic of Maduro and accused of “terrorism.”

“This decision has been taken because of the inappropriate role developed by this institution, which, far from appearing as a neutral entity, “This has led to it becoming a private law firm for the group of coup plotters and terrorists who are constantly plotting against the country.”This was stated by the Venezuelan regime's advisor, Evan Gil.

He added that the suspension will remain in place “until they publicly correct their colonial, offensive and contrary to the United Nations Charter before the international community.”

Gil indicated that the dictatorship would conduct “a comprehensive review of the terms of technical cooperation described in the letter of understanding signed with the aforementioned office, within the next thirty days” and ordered “The staff assigned to this office will leave the country within the next 72 hours.”

The Technical Advisory Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Venezuela was created in 2019, when former President Michelle Bachelet He held this position.

Before leaving her post, Bachelet said that she had noticed progress in the field of human rights in Venezuela, but there was still “a lot to be done.”

behind him, Volker TurkHe visited Venezuela in January 2023, where it was agreed that the office would continue to operate for another two years. During his stay, he encouraged the authorities to release all those arbitrarily detained, and insisted on taking the necessary measures to end torture.

The Commissioner then met with various sectors of civil society, as well as with regime authorities, and addressed complaints related to extrajudicial executions. He also noted that there are restrictions on access to some detention centers in the country.

The main work of the Technical Office is to “provide support for the effective implementation of the recommendations issued” in the reports submitted by the High Commissioner to the Human Rights Council. Since 2019, at least six reports have been issued on the situation in Venezuela.

The United Nations mission expressed,Deep anxiety“For the arrest of the human rights defender on Friday Rocio San Miguel He urged Nicolas Maduro’s regime to “End the wave of repressionAgainst opponents who are intensifying throughout the country.

“Venezuelan security forces made an arrest Rocio San Miguelhead of the organization Citizen surveillanceWhen he was trying to board the plane with his daughter at Simón Bolívar International Airport. Attorney general She was accused of participating in the attempted conspiracy Against the president Nicolas Maduro And other senior officials, as well as their involvement in attacks against military units and other institutions throughout the country.”

“These are not isolated incidentsbut from a series of events that seem to be part of A coordinated plan to silence critics He emphasized those who are perceived as dissidents Marta ValinasHead of the research mission.

The mission expressed Concerned about “recent series of actions inconsistent with international law” Which includes “Arrests and threats of arrest From members National Primary CommitteeAs well as members of the political party Sell ​​Venezuelawinner of the opposition primaries, and Disqualification To hold public office as political leaders, including Leader of the Opposition Maria Corina Machado“.

Frances CoxThe mission member stressed thatThe Venezuelan state has violated the human rights of dozens of people By investigating alleged conspiratorial groups, and depriving those investigated, detained and tried of their most basic rights. He added: “Without ignoring the state's right to investigate, this must be done with full respect for human rights and without committing international crimes.“.

For this part, Patricia TabataAnother member of the investigative mission said: “In accordance with the Inter-American Convention on the Enforced Disappearance of Persons, to which Venezuela is a party, One of the components of enforced disappearances is the deprivation of information regarding a person's whereabouts“which precludes the exercise of relevant legal remedies and procedural safeguards”; highlighting that “Late and incomplete information About the whereabouts of San Miguel, his daughter, and his state of health satisfies the purpose Instill fear Among those who criticize the government, holding the state responsible under international law.”

(Information from Agence France-Presse)