On Thursday, February 15, the Venezuela government issued an order in favor of terminating the operations of the local UN office on human rights. The 13 staff members have been given 72 hours to leave. The office has been accused of inciting opposition against the government.
Foreign Minister Yvan Gil made the announcement official at a news conference in Caracas. According to The Associated Press, Gil stated that the “local technical advisory office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, had been used by the international community ‘to maintain a discourse against’ against Venezuela”.
There are no details regarding the communications between the country and the United Nations and whether or not the latter has been informed about the suspension of the human rights office.
Venezuela’s Recent Detention Of Human Rights Attorney
The decision comes amidst the detention of human rights attorney Rocio San Miguel which has sparked a worldwide debate. San Miguel was arrested from the Caracas Airport on Sunday while she and her daughter were waiting o board a flight to Miami, USA. The news was not made official until Sunday and as of today, her attorney has not been allowed to make any contact with her.
Attorney General Tarek William Saab revealed that San Miguel is being held at Helicoide prison, which has been described as an “infamous institution for political prisoners”. Saab also stated about San Miguel’s alleged involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro and “other officials and attack military units”.
Sn Miguel’s is best known for her focus on the corrupt armed forces of Venezuela and the 57-year-old also leads the Control Ciudadano NGO which is concerned with “human rights, security and the armed forces”.
Her daughter, ex-husband, former partner along with her two brothers were also detained by authorities and as of now only her former partner is being held in custody.
UN And USA Express Concerns Over San Miguel’s Arrest
Over 200 NGOs have voiced concerns over the incident, demanding an immediate release of the activist. They have also signed letters urging the international community to shed light on the matter.
The Biden Administration’s Venezuelan Affairs Unit tweeted on Monday highlighting the “worrying trend of apparently arbitrary arrests of democratic actors”. The United Nations Security Council also expressed “deep concerns” about the debacle in a tweet on Tuesday.
The UN Human Rights Council has also established an independent fact-finding mission to oversee the country’s recent instances of arrests, murders and disappearances. It has reportedly unveiled some shocking attempts at “curtailing democratic freedoms” by the government ahead of the Presidential elections in Venezuela. Multiple politicians, activists, journalists have been subjected to torture and detention in recent months in what is being seen as an effort to subdue real and perceived opponents.
