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UN human rights office resumes work in Venezuela despite Maduro clash | News Nicolas Maduro

UN human rights office resumes work in Venezuela despite Maduro clash | News Nicolas Maduro

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has announced that his office is beginning to resume work in Venezuela, despite previous clashes with the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

High Commissioner Volker Turk made the announcement on Friday at a meeting with the UN Human Rights Council, where he reiterated his concern about conditions in Venezuela, particularly after its latest presidential race.

“My office has started to resume operations in the country in recent weeks. My hope is that we will be able to restore our full presence,” Turk said in his opening statement, introducing his organization as a “bridge builder.”

The UN human rights office previously established a presence in the country in 2019.

But this change in February, when Maduro’s administration accused the office of conspiring with members of the opposition to undermine the government — an allegation made without evidence.

The local office was ordered to close immediately and its members were told to leave the country within 72 hours.

Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores raise an arm in salute at a public event
President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores wave to supporters during an event in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 10 (Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)

In a statement at the time, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto accused the UN human rights office of becoming a “colonialist” and “improper” presence in the country, stoking unrest.

“Far from showing it as an impartial entity,” Gil Pinto said the bureau’s actions “led it to become the private law firm of coup plotters and terrorist groups that are constantly conspiring against the country.”

However, the Maduro government has long faced condemnation for its human rights record, which includes allegations of arbitrary arrests, torture and extrajudicial killings.

Shortly before Venezuela’s human rights office was ordered to close, UN officials expressed concern over the sudden detention of human rights lawyer Rocio San Miguel.

In a social network post of her arrest, the human rights office wrote that “guarantees of a fair trial, including the right to a defense, must be respected.”

The closure of the local office also coincided with increased scrutiny of the fairness of Venezuela’s latest presidential election. Maduro, at the time, was seeking a third term in office, but opinion polls in the months leading up to the race heavily favored the opposition.

The government disqualified several popular opposition candidates from running, including opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and her later replacement, Professor Corina Yoris. Eventually, Edmundo Gonzalez, a former diplomat, was elected to lead the opposition ticket.

The elections took place on July 28. But in the early hours of July 29, shortly after the polls closed, Venezuela’s electoral authority announced that Maduro had won — though it did not publish the paper tally that traditionally accompanies the results.

Critics immediately blasted the announcement as fraudulent and called for transparency in the voting results.

The disputed election led to protests on the streets of the capital Caracas and other cities as the opposition published voting documents online that it said proved Maduro’s defeat.

An estimated 2,000 people were arrested in the ensuing government crackdown, with dozens dead and hundreds injured. In his statement to the UN council on Friday, Turk emphasized the human impact of the violence.

“Looking back over the past few months, I remain deeply concerned about the disproportionate use of force and violence during the post-election protests in July and August, including by armed individuals who support the government,” Turk said.

“I urge a prompt and effective investigation into at least 28 killings that involved demonstrators, bystanders and members of the armed forces.”

However, in a gesture to the country’s authorities, Turk applauded recent waves of prisoner releases that freed protesters and opposition members detained during post-election protests.

An estimated 225 political prisoners were released under “precautionary measures” – including mandatory court appearances – on November 26, and another 103 were released on Thursday.

“This is an important step,” Turk said. However, he called on Venezuelan officials to review all cases of those still in custody.

Inmates in blue overalls leave a prison in Venezuela
People detained during a government crackdown on post-election protests walk out of the Yare 3 prison in San Francisco de Yare, Venezuela, on November 16 (File: Cristian Hernandez/AP Photo)

“I urge the release of all those arbitrarily detained, both before and after the presidential elections. This includes human rights defenders such as Rocio San Miguel and Javier Tarazona, as well as humanitarian workers,” he said.

“The continued use of anti-terrorism legislation against protesters, including teenagers, and reports of enforced disappearances and ill-treatment are deeply concerning.”

As part of this alleged mistreatment, Turk indicated that inmates struggle with “overcrowded cells” and inadequate supplies of food, water and medical care.

He also called on the Venezuelan government to allow every prisoner a fair trial, including access to a lawyer and translators if necessary, especially for indigenous detainees.

Looking ahead to Maduro’s inauguration in January and National Assembly elections later in 2025, Turk reflected on his previous visits to Venezuela. He expressed the role of his country office as one of cooperation.

“It was clear to me then, as now, that society needs to heal; overcome divisions and polarization; and engage in inclusive dialogue as an absolute priority,” Turk said.

“We stand ready to support the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in these difficult times, in a spirit of constructive engagement.”