Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Oral Update on Venezuela
As Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
Delegation of the United States of America
Human Rights Council, 49th Session
March 17, 2022
Thank you, Mr. President and Madame High Commissioner, for your work.
The United States continues to support a negotiated solution to the Venezuela crisis that leads to a return of the rule of law in Venezuela and puts in place the conditions for free and fair elections.
We call for the unconditional release of all persons unjustly detained, continued support to the victims of abuses, full respect for the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and an end to attacks against human rights defenders, journalists, and political opposition.
We are committed to continuing to work with partners and allies to provide humanitarian assistance that will alleviate the suffering of the Venezuelan people and promote accountability for corrupt actors and those who undermine democracy or abuse human rights.
Question: How can we promote accountability for Maduro and his enablers for human rights abuses in Venezuela while encouraging the institutional reforms and dialogue necessary to peacefully close this chapter of abuses and to ensure it does not repeat?
Thank you.