Interactive Dialogue with the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela
As Delivered by Mr. Jesse Lynch
Delegation of the United States of America
Human Rights Council – 49th Session
March 17, 2022
The United States thanks the Fact-Finding Mission for their work documenting human rights abuses in Venezuela and we strongly support the renewal of its mandate in September.
In its September 2021 report, the Mission noted the lack of judicial independence at all levels, including interference with and pressure on judges and prosecutors, failure to ensure legality of detentions, interference with the right to a fair trial, and failure to investigate allegations of human rights abuses, including torture.
All of this is in addition to ongoing intimidation, harassment, and criminalization of the work of journalists, media outlets, human rights defenders, humanitarian workers, union leaders, and members or supporters of the opposition, and their relatives.
We still believe that a peaceful and lasting solution to this crisis can best be achieved through Venezuelan-led, comprehensive negotiations that lead to free and fair elections and the restoration of Venezuela’s independent institutions and the rule of law. We urge and welcome immediate progress in these areas.
Question: How can states support redress and accountability for human rights abuses committed via the law enforcement and judicial processes?
Thank you very much.
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