United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk during a press conference in Geneva. Photo: Salvatore di Nolfi/EFE.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—In a statement released by Foreign Minister Yván Gil, the Venezuelan government condemned the report issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights via High Commissioner Volker Türk, describing it as “vile” and furthering the interests of “the decadent US imperialism.”
Minister Gil released the Venezuelan response to Türk’s statements via social media this Friday, December 13. It criticized the UN High Commissioner Office for Human Rights for becoming “a space at the service of sectors that promote chaos, destabilization, and foreign intervention, deliberately ignoring violent actions financed from abroad, including hate crimes, which left 28 dead and hundreds injured after the July elections, among them state security agents.”
The government statement reiterates that Venezuela will not accept attempts at tutelage or colonial interference disguised as concerns for human rights, warning that the country is being attacked “far-right” using the same arguments. It also condemned attacks against “legitimate laws such as the NGO Law and the Law against the Imperialist Blockade.”
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Earlier on Friday, Türk called for a “prompt and effective investigation” into at least 28 murders in protests organized in Venezuela following the July 28 presidential elections and for the continued release of those that, according to Türk and Venezuelan far-right groups, are arbitrarily detained. Türk failed to mention that most of the victims of the far-right-led violence in Venezuela on July 29 and 30 were Chavista grassroots organizers. Moreover, substantial evidence shows that many of those detained committed the crimes they are accused of, as they posted them on social media.
“This includes human rights defenders such as Rocío San Miguel and Javier Tarazona, as well as humanitarian workers,” Türk added in reference to NGO directors detained before the July 28 elections for their involvement in destabilization plans unveiled by Venezuelan security agencies.
The head of the UN Human Rights Office continued making interventionist statements questioning the recently approved Anti-Terrorist Law, the Anti-Blockade Law, and the Law for the Regulation of NGO Activities.
“I visited Venezuela almost two years ago, and I feel for the people of the country who have gone through very difficult times. It was clear to me then, as it is now, that society needs to heal, overcome divisions and polarization, and engage in an inclusive dialogue,” said the Austrian High Commissioner. However, Türk did not acknowledge that most of the hardship suffered by Venezuelans is directly related to the US blockade and that the far-right opposition does not play by democratic principles but is constantly threatening Venezuela with mercenary plots, violence disguised as peaceful protests, and requesting more sanctions to deteriorate Venezuelans’ quality of life further.
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Below is the full unofficial translation of Venezuela’s statement:
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela firmly repudiates the vile statement issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today. This statement, which lacks evidence and objectivity, shows the subordination of the High Commissioner to the interests of the decadent US empire and its blatant use as a tool of political aggression against our country.
We condemn High Commissioner Volker Türk, who has blood on his hands from the murder of children in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon and is submissive to an imperial agenda, for his intention to attack Venezuela by repeating the narrative fabricated by the Venezuelan far-right. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has been turned into a space at the service of sectors that promote chaos, destabilization, and foreign intervention, deliberately ignoring violent actions financed from abroad, including hate crimes, which left 28 dead and hundreds injured after the July elections, among them state security agents.
Venezuela is a sovereign state and guarantor of human rights. Unlike what this politicized body tries to suggest, our institutions have acted with strict respect for the law, guaranteeing rights and granting procedural benefits to those detained. We also condemn attacks against legitimate laws, such as the NGO Law and the Law against the Imperialist Blockade, which protect our nation from destabilizing activities and external aggression aimed at undermining our sovereignty.
The erratic and selective behavior of the OHCHR completely disqualifies any pretense of impartiality. We remind its head and the system he represents that Venezuela will not accept attempts at tutelage or colonial interference disguised as concerns for human rights.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela demands absolute respect for its institutions and democracy. It reiterates that it will continue to firmly defend its independence against attacks by any foreign power or its internal accomplices. Our struggle for sovereignty, peace, and the well-being of the Venezuelan people is unwavering and will bravely confront any threat.
Caracas, December 13, 2024
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/SF
