The dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, announced the suspension of activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations (UN) in the capital of the South American country, as well as the expulsion of its personnel that must be carried out within a maximum period of 72 hours.
According to the news agency AFPthe Maduro government decided this after the office made comments on the detention of local activist Rocío San Miguel, who was arrested before boarding a flight at the ‘Simón Bolívar’ international airport.
“Venezuelan security forces detained Rocío San Miguel, president of the Citizen Control organization. The Attorney General accused her of participating in an attempted conspiracy against President Nicolás Maduro and other senior officials, as well as of being involved in attacks against military units and other institutions throughout the country,” reads the comment made by the office. from the ONU.
Additionally, staff expressed concern over the development of several events that seemed to be “part of a coordinated plan to silence critics and those perceived as opponents.”
The arrests and threats that have been registered against members of the National Primary Commission and militants of the Vente Venezuela political party were also noted.
The comments evidently upset the dictator Maduro, who decided to get rid of this office. This Thursday, February 15, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil justified the leader’s actions, ensuring that the UN institution had become a “private law firm for the group of coup plotters and terrorists” who frequently conspired against the country.
Gil points out that the suspension will remain in place until the office publicly “rectifies” its alleged “colonialist and abusive” attitude, which violated the United Nations Charter.
#Communiqué Venezuela announces its decision to suspend the activities of the Technical Advisory Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Venezuela and carry out a comprehensive review of the terms of technical cooperation described in the Charter of… pic.twitter.com/6OUb85cCIf
— Yvan Gil (@yvangil) February 15, 2024
For its part, the UN Human Rights Office indicated that it regretted the decision made by the dictator Maduro, which seemed to prove them right about the totalitarian nature of his government. In that sense, he indicated that they were evaluating the next steps to take.
“We continue to collaborate with authorities and other interested parties. Our guiding principle has been and continues to be the promotion and protection of the human rights of the people of Venezuela,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the office, through an official statement.
#human #rights #office #expelled #Venezuela
