Joint Statement: Situation in Venezuela

Human Rights Organizations Release Statement Signed by Groups from Different Countries, Including Conectas

Opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are displaying a Venezuelan flag during a rally called by presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in front of the United Nations headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 30, 2024 (Photo by Jonathan Lanza/NurPhoto) (Photo by Jonathan Lanza / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)

The statement, signed by 39 human rights organizations from various countries and regions, was published on July 30, 2024, originally in Spanish and English.

July 30, 2024 – Venezuelan Presidential Elections: International Organizations Call on Authorities to Ensure Transparency

Nine international signatory organizations condemn the lack of transparency in the announced results of the Venezuelan presidential elections held on the 28th of  28. This lack of clarity raises concerns about the fairness and integrity of the elections, casting doubt on the credibility of the claim that Venezuelans have granted Nicolás Maduro a third presidential term. In light of this situation, the international community must insist that Venezuelan authorities immediately ensure and facilitate an independent verification process of the electoral results.

On July 28, Venezuelans participated massively and peacefully in the presidential elections, demonstrating an inspiring commitment to democratic principles. This occurred despite the electoral process being severely marred by human rights violations and irregularities, including the detention of opposition members, arbitrary disqualification of opposition candidates, arbitrary restrictions on Venezuelans voting abroad and  young voters, as well as  measures further restricting civic space. The Venezuelan people deserve elections where every vote is counted accurately and transparently.

Based on the Venezuelan people’s right to participate in fair elections, the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) must immediately:

1- Make all tally sheets available to all Venezuelan citizens and to national and international electoral observers, as required by Venezuelan law. The CNE must publish the data by state, municipality, parish, voting center, and polling station, and review any potential discrepancies in the results.

2- Complete the electoral audit and citizen verification processes as required by law to reconcile the voting receipts with the data recorded in the Tally Sheet issued by each voting center. Through an  audit that must be made  public and verifiable process. 

Until such conditions are met and the Venezuelan people’s right to transparent information about the electoral process is guaranteed, the international community should refrain from recognizing the announced result. Governments and international and regional intergovernmental organizations should use all diplomatic means at their disposal to urge Venezuelan authorities to conduct a fair and transparent vote count that respects the Venezuelan people’s right to vote in elections “that ensure the free expression of the will of the voters” and to effectively choose their political future.

Additionally, the Carter Center and the United Nations Panel of Electoral Experts, as the only international technical observation missions accredited by the CNE, must have access to all information regarding the electoral process in order to produce their impartial reports, in accordance with the memorandums of understanding agreed upon by each organization with the Venezuelan authorities.

If Venezuelan authorities fail to provide a full and transparent report of the electoral results as required by Venezuelan law, there is a risk that vital channels of diplomatic dialogue could be lost, leading to further regional and international isolation, with potentially severe consequences for Venezuelan people both inside and outside the country.

Between July 26 and 29, local organizations documented more than 130 arbitrary detentions, as well as confirmed and potential illegal deaths. These detentions took place in a context of harassment, persecution, and criminalization that marked the electoral campaign.

Finally, we call for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained, respect for due process, and an end to the criminalization of opposition leaders and those exercising their right to peaceful protest. We urge the utmost respect for the right to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, personal liberty and security, and freedom of movement.

This document is signed by:

The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)

Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF)

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL)

CIVICUS

Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P)

International Commission of Jurists

World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights

 

And endorsed by:

Apuesta Solidaria AC – Mexico

Intercultural Association for Human Rights (ASIDEHU) – Costa Rica

Association for Peace and Hope – Peru

Association for Human Rights (APRODEH) – Peru

Pro-Búsqueda Association – El Salvador

Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center – Mexico

Center for the Study of Law, Justice, and Society (Dejusticia) – Colombia

Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS) – Argentina

Center for Public Policies and Human Rights – Peru Equidad – Peru

Center for the Promotion and Defense of Sexual and Reproductive Rights (Promsex) – Peru

Regional Center for Human Rights and Gender Justice – Humanas Corporation – Chile

CISAS – Costa Rica

CIVILIS – Venezuela

Nicaragua Nunca Más Human Rights Collective – Nicaragua

Conectas Human Rights – Brazil

Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES) – Colombia

Team for Reflection, Research, and Communication – Honduras

Legal Team for Human Rights – Honduras

Ethnic Integral Foundation – Dominican Republic

Legal Defense Institute (IDL) – Peru

National Table for Migration and Refugees in the Dominican Republic (MENAMIRD) – Dominican Republic

Autonomous Women’s Movement – Nicaragua

Venezuelan Prisons Observatory – Venezuela

Legal Office for Women – Bolivia

International Platform Against Impunity – Guatemala

Network for Children and Adolescents of El Salvador (RIA) – El Salvador

Weaving Childhood Networks in Latin America and the Caribbean – Regional

Human Rights Vicarage of Caracas – Venezuela