(Adnkronos) – Arbitrary detentions and torture remain a reality in Venezuela. This was stated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressing his “deep concern” despite the recent approval of an amnesty law in the country. “Many Venezuelans are still arbitrarily detained (…). My Office has received reports of torture and ill-treatment that continue to be inflicted on detainees, particularly in the Rodeo 1 and Fuerte Guaicaipuro detention centers,” near Caracas, Türk told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. “This situation is deeply worrying,” he added, urging authorities to “immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained.”
According to the NGO Foro Penal, 508 people, including military personnel and foreigners, are still detained for political reasons in Venezuela. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomed the amnesty law, promulgated on February 19 under pressure from the United States and approved by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, which aims to allow the release of political prisoners. The government stated last week that it had released 7,365 people, and Türk acknowledged that Caracas, with this law, has “committed to correcting some past mistakes.” However, he called for “greater transparency” and requested “the official list of those released, as well as unlimited access to various detention centers,” a request that has not yet been granted to the High Commissioner’s Office.
“I share the relief of those who have been released and their families, but their detention was unacceptable. I hope that this practice ceases once and for all and that the authorities adopt measures to guarantee freedom of opinion,” the High Commissioner emphasized.
