UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has announced the resumption of his office’s operations in Venezuela following a period of suspension. The office’s operations were halted earlier this year following Türk’s statement regarding the enforced disappearance of human rights defender Rocío San Miguel.
During a meeting at the Human Rights Council, Türk emphasized the significant role that his office can play in facilitating constructive engagement between Venezuelan state institutions and its citizens, particularly during ongoing socio-political challenges. He highlighted that Venezuela is currently facing serious issues, including post-election violence, with approximately 2,000 detentions having been confirmed since the controversial presidential election in July. The detainees reportedly include teenagers, children, opposition members, human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers, prompting calls for prompt investigations into the related violence and fatalities during protests.
The restoration of UN operations comes amidst increasing international calls for electoral transparency from entities like the European Union and the United States. As Venezuela gears up for its parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of 2025, Türk stressed the importance of creating conducive conditions for civic engagement and political participation. This need has become even more urgent following the Venezuelan authorities’ passage of the Law on Oversight, Regulation, Performance, and Financing of Non-Governmental Organizations, which has restricted civic space and led to the closure of several NGOs due to harassment and punitive measures.
The resumption of the UN human rights office’s activities seeks to address these issues by fostering dialogue and upholding human rights principles, offering hope for progress amidst challenges in the nation.
For further details, visit the original announcement here.