UN urges Venezuela to end 'grave' rights violations

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Venezuela should take "immediate measures" to halt and remedy the "grave" violations of economic, social, civil, political and cultural rights documented in the country, according to a UN Human Rights report.

If the situation in the South American country does not improve, the "unprecedented" outflow of Venezuelan migrants and refugees will continue, and "the living conditions of those who remain will worsen," said Thursday's report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office.

The report is based on 558 interviews with victims and witnesses of human rights violations and the deteriorating economic situation, in Venezuela and eight other countries, as well as other sources. It covers the period from January 2018 to May 2019.

The report underlined that Venezuela's state institutions have been militarized over the past decade, and security forces have allegedly been responsible for arbitrary detentions, ill-treatment and torture of people.

The majority of victims have not had effective access to justice and remedies, the State is "violating its obligations" to ensure the rights to food and health and the health situation in the country is dire, according to the report.

“I sincerely hope the authorities will take a close look at all the information included in this report and will follow its recommendations," said Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

She said all Venezuelans deserve "a better life" with access to "adequate basic human needs".

"I call on all those with the power and influence -- within Venezuela and elsewhere -- to work together, and to make the necessary compromises to resolve this all-consuming crisis. My Office stands ready to continue doing its part," Bachelet said.

Bachelet paid a 3-day visit to Venezuela in June to meet a wide range of actors, including President Nicolas Maduro, other senior government officials, as well as the opposition leader and the President of the National Assembly Juan Guaido.

A team of two UN human rights officers stayed in the country after her visit, with an agreed mandate to provide technical assistance and advice, and to monitor the human rights situation.

Venezuela's economy has been in precipitous decline following a global downturn in the price of crude oil, the country's main export. A political unrest has been ongoing between Venezuela’s elected Maduro and opposition leader Guaido since Jan. 10.

Nearly 5,000 people leave Venezuela every day because of "instability and uncertainty" amid a crisis over the presidency and economy, and 3 million Venezuelans have already left the country since 2015, according to UN Refugee Agency reports.