ParlAmericas statement on the situation in Venezuela
ParlAmericas joins the call of actors in the international community in expressing its strong condemnation of the grave violations of the human rights of Venezuelans that have occurred since the presidential elections held on July 28.
Since then, according to reports cited by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, more than 2,000 people have been subject to arbitrary detentions, including demonstrators, human rights advocates, adolescents, persons with disabilities, members of the opposition or those considered to be connected to them, as well as electoral observers accredited by opposition parties.
ParlAmericas urges Venezuelan authorities to guarantee the legal rights of all Venezuelans, including fair trials in compliance with the right to due process for those who have been deprived of their liberty, and to protect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association for all Venezuelans in accordance with international standards.
Given the above, and in respect of the Venezuelan people’s will, peacefully expressed through high voter turnout, ParlAmericas insists on the urgent need for the National Electoral Council of Venezuela to expeditiously publish the official tally sheets from all polling stations and to permit a transparent verification process involving observers and candidates’ delegates, ensuring full respect for national sovereignty and self-determination.
ParlAmericas reiterates its commitment to the promotion of peace, democracy and hemispheric dialogue.
