In a detailed report on Venezuela’s crackdown on the opposition, the UN warns that the state’s military and civilian intelligence agencies are working to implement “a plan orchestrated at the highest levels of government to suppress opposition through crimes against humanity.”
According to international researchers, President Nicolas Maduro “edited” the plan and found the role of individuals at different levels in chains of command to suppress opposition to the government.
Such acts included the execution of extremely serious acts of torture that constituted crimes against humanity.
The document was prepared by the UN Independent International Fact-Search Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (FFMV) and was presented in Geneva on Tuesday. In it, the group details the roles and contributions of various individuals at different levels of the chain of command within these institutions and urges authorities to investigate their responsibilities.
“Our research and analysis show that the Venezuelan state relies on its intelligence services and agents to suppress opposition in the country.”
“By doing this, serious crimes and human rights violations are committed, including acts of torture and sexual violence.” “These practices must be stopped immediately and those responsible must be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” said Marta Valiñas, head of the UN mission.
In the same document, the group also highlights the situation in the southern state of Bolivar, where state and non-state actors have committed a series of abuses and crimes against the local population in the areas of gold mining.
The delegation conducted 246 confidential, face-to-face and remote interviews to reach the results. He also reviewed case files and other legal documents. Due to the continued lack of access to Venezuelan territory since its establishment in 2019, the Mission has made visits to areas located along the country’s borders.
“Venezuela still faces a deep human rights crisis, and our reports today highlight only two aspects of that situation. The international community is keeping a close eye on developments in Venezuela, and it is justice, accountability and respect for human rights,” said Valiñas.
Among those responsible for the crimes, the mission highlighted the role of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) and the National Bolivarian Intelligence Agency (SEBIN) in enforcing human rights abuses since 2014. crimes against humanity.
In total, the international mission recorded 122 cases of victims of torture, sexual violence or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by state officials. The torture was carried out at the agencies’ headquarters in Caracas and in a network of clandestine detention centers across the country.
Venezuelan intelligence tortured or ill-treated detainees, particularly at the El Helicoide detention center in Caracas, including opposition politicians, journalists, protesters and human rights defenders. “The mission has investigated at least 51 cases since 2014. The report details how orders are given to lower-level officials by individuals at the highest political levels.”
Both SEBIN and DGCIM have made extensive use of sexual and gender-based violence to torture and humiliate detainees.
Maduro’s plan
One of the UN’s complaints is the failure of Venezuelan authorities to hold perpetrators of crimes accountable or to repair victims, in a context where judicial reforms announced from 2021 have failed to address the judiciary’s lack of independence and impartiality. .
“The violations and crimes committed by ŞEBİN and DGCİM continue to this day. While the same structures, dynamics and practices continue, relevant officials continue to work for the institutions and in some cases have even been promoted. The delegation’s analysis is more detailed. “How it has been acted upon by other top officials as part of a deliberate government plan to quell criticism and dissent.”
“Human rights violations committed by state intelligence agencies at the highest political levels took place in an atmosphere of near complete impunity. The international community must do everything to ensure victims’ rights to justice and reparation,” Francis said. Cox, your member duty.
Human rights violations in the Arco Minero gold mining area
Faced with a crisis in the national oil industry, the Venezuelan government established the Arco Minero del Orinoco as a “National Strategic Development Zone” in 2016 to formalize and expand its control over gold mining and other strategic resources, primarily in the state of Bolivar. , in the south of the country. But since then, the area has been heavily militarized, while armed criminal groups continue to operate openly, controlling the mines and population, according to the UN.
The UN report now reveals how state and non-state actors are committing human rights abuses and crimes against local people in the struggle for control of mining sites.
“These include deprivation of life, disappearances, extortion, corporal punishment, and sexual and gender-based violence. Not only have the authorities failed to prevent and investigate such abuses, but there has also been partial collusion between the Mission, state and non-state actors. Received information showing. Summary of the state of Bolivar”, highlights.
“The situation in Bolívar State and other mining areas is deeply worrying. Local people, including indigenous peoples, are caught in the middle of a fierce battle between the state and armed criminal groups for control of gold. Our report highlights the need to investigate this area. Patricia Tappatá Valdez, a member of the mission “It is, paradoxically, a nearly forgotten region of the country that also produces large amounts of legal and illegal wealth from minerals,” he said.
source: Noticias
