Amnesty International fordømmer den venezuelanske regerings hårde kurs over for demonstranter, som sidste år kostede 43 mennesker livet. Demonstranterne blev skudt, fik stød og blev seksuelt misbrugt, siger Amnesty.
Amnesty International on Tuesday condemned a crackdown on demonstrations that swept Venezuela last year and which left 43 people dead, saying protesters were shot, electrocuted and sexually assaulted.
Venezuela’s failure to effectively investigate and bring to justice those responsible for the deaths of 43 people and the injury and torture of hundreds during protests in 2014, is effectively giving a green light to more abuses and violence, said Amnesty International in a new report today.
The faces of impunity: A year after the protests, victims still await justice examines the stories of those who died or were arbitrarily arrested and tortured in detention during and after the protests that rocked the country between February and July 2014.
Amongst the dead and injured were protesters, passers-by and members of the security forces. Some are still behind bars pending trial.
“People in Venezuela should be able to peacefully protest without fear of losing their lives or being unlawfully detained.”
Erika Guevara Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International.
“Every day that passes without addressing the catalogue of human rights abuses that took place during the protests is another day of heart-breaking injustice for the victims and their families. This must stop.”
During the protests 3,351 people were detained, scores arbitrarily. Most were released without charges.
However, 1,404 individuals are facing charges and 25 are still in detention awaiting trial.
Amnesty International had access to the files of five people being held in detention facing charges and concluded that they were arbitrarily detained. Two have since been released pending trial.
Evidence shows that members of the police allowed pro-government armed groups to abuse protesters and passers-by, and even illegally enter people’s houses, including with fire arms.
Deaths, arrests and harassment
Guillermo Sánchez died after he was beaten and shot by a pro-government armed group in La Isabelica (Valencia State) in March 2014.
His wife, Ghina Rodríguez, and their two children had to flee the country after they received death threats for demanding justice. They are still waiting for those responsible for Guillermo’s death to be held to account.
The relatives of other victims and their lawyers have also reported being harassed and intimidated because of their campaigns to obtain justice and reparations.
Human rights defenders who have reported serious abuses have also been the target of attacks.
Excessive use of force against protesters and arbitrary arrests have continued since the end of the protests.
In recent weeks a 14-year-old boy was killed by police in Táchira on 24 February.
The Mayor of Caracas, Antonio Ledezma, was arrested on 19 February, under dubious circumstances.
Rather than address this issue, the Ministry of Defence issued a resolution at the end of January 2015 allowing all sections of the armed forces to be deployed in public order operations, including the policing of public protests.
They have also authorized the use of firearms in such operations.
Læs mere hos Amnesty International
