[wanabidii] Press Releases: Due Process in Venezuela

You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Press Releases: Due Process in Venezuela 09/11/2014 02:42 PM EDT Due Process in Venezuela Press Statement Marie Harf Deputy Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC September 11, 2014 The United States is deeply concerned by the lack of due process or fair trial guarantees for persons detained in relation to protests in Venezuela. Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, mayors Enzo Scarano and Daniel Ceballos, and approximately 70 protesters remain incarcerated- some for more than seven months, many without any formal charges. The judge in the trial of Mr. Lopez denied his requests to present evidence in his defense. According to local NGOs, more than 1,700 individuals have pending charges and have not received a court date. While not all those individuals are imprisoned, we remain deeply troubled by the opaque justice procedures in place. In February, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights expressed deep concern about the alleged use of criminal proceedings to punish peaceful protesters and government critics. In March, six UN Special Rapporteurs asked the Venezuelan government to clarify allegations of arbitrary detention and excessive use of force and violence against protesters. Their concerns went unheeded by the Venezuelan government. Allegations of arbitrary detention of protesters – some in military facilities – torture, and denial of legal assistance continue. The Venezuelan government has an obligation to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by international law. As a long-time party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Venezuela is required to promptly inform all persons detained of any charges against them and to either release them or guarantee them a fair and public trial before an independent and impartial tribunal without undue delay. With this in mind, and consistent with the values and spirit of the Inter American Democratic Charter, we call upon the government of Venezuela to provide all those detained the legal protections and fair trials to which they are entitled. The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. Stay connected with the State Department:       External links found in this content or on Department of State websites that go to other non-Department websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.  Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of State. This email was sent to wanabidii@googlegroups.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520