UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

EU Statement

13 December 2024

Mr. President,

Mr. High Commissioner

The European Union thanks you for this report.

We fully support the important work of your Office. We welcome the announcement of the return to Caracas of OHCHR personnel as a step in the right direction, which will be measured against facts. We urge the full and unconditional reopening of the Office, with the same mandate and unfettered access to all regions and detention centres. We also call on the authorities to cooperate fully with all other mechanisms, including the Fact-Finding Mission and the International Criminal Court.

We remain deeply concerned about the deterioration of the human rights’ situation and the rapid shrinking of civic space in the aftermath of the presidential elections of 28 July. Venezuelan authorities must end repression, the excessive use of force, and harassment against members of the opposition and civil society, including journalists and human rights defenders. The EU urges Venezuela to ensure safe conditions for all to exercise their right of freedom of expression and to lift restrictions on NGOs, civic and democratic spaces.

We are worried about the staggering number of arbitrary arrests, including minors, and the dire conditions of detention. We call on the authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all political prisoners, including EU citizens. We also call on Venezuela to uphold and comply with its obligations and commitments under international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular relations, and to grant safe passage to asylum seekers, including those sheltered in diplomatic premises.

Human rights violations and abuses must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible held accountable, including acts of gender-based violence which continue to pose a significant threat to the safety and well-being of women and girls in Venezuela.

The EU will continue to work with its regional partners to facilitate a Venezuelan-led dialogue that leads to the restoration of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights, and ensures that the will of the Venezuelan people as expressed at the ballot box on 28 July is respected, according to the records publicly available which attributed the majority of the votes to Mr Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and were recognized by the UN panel of experts.

Mr. High Commissioner, how do you plan to strengthen support for civil society and human rights defenders amidst the growing repression?

Thank you.