Interactive Discussion with the Fact Finding Mission on Venezuela
Statement by the United States of America
Human Rights Council, 46th Session
March 10, 2021
As Delivered by Sean Mariano Garcia
We thank the Fact Finding Mission for their work documenting past and ongoing human rights violations and abuses in Venezuela, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as their work to combat impunity and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
The human rights situation continues to deteriorate. In January, indigenous Pemon leader, Salvador Franco died in prison due to a denial of medical attention. In February, Amnesty International reported that members of FAES killed more than 14 people in what is known as the La Vega massacre.
After fraudulent legislative elections in 2020, there has been an escalation in harassment of humanitarian NGOs along with increased censorship and repression of the media, including the recent shuttering of VPItv and the harassment of six other Venezuelan independent outlets.
How can Member States promote accountability for violations and abuses in Venezuela?