Interactive Dialogue with the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Mr. Jesse Lynch
Human Rights Council – 51st Session
Thank you, Mr. President.
The United States would like to also thank the members of the Fact-Finding Mission for your ongoing work documenting human rights abuses in Venezuela and for presenting your report today.
In the March 2022 oral update, the Mission noted structural problems stemming from the lack of judicial independence, including interference with and pressure on judges and prosecutors, failure to ensure legality of detentions, interference with the right to fair and public hearings, and failure to investigate allegations of human rights abuses, including torture. These problems continue to persist.
We have witnessed this regime continue its intimidation and harassment of journalists, media outlets, human rights defenders, humanitarian workers, union leaders, and members or supporters of the opposition, and their relatives, including through the regime’s intelligence services as reported by Fact-Finding Mission.
We believe a peaceful and lasting solution to this crisis can best be achieved through Venezuelan-led, comprehensive negotiations that lead to free and fair elections, the restoration of Venezuela’s independent institutions, and respect for the rule of law.
We strongly support the renewal of the Mission’s mandate and call on the international community to support this important mandate.
Question: How can the international community support accountability for human rights abuses committed via law enforcement and judicial processes?
I thank you.
###