49th Session of the HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Item 3 - Interactive Debate with the Fact Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

18th March 2022

Statement by Portugal

 

Mr. President

Portugal aligns itself with the intervention made on behalf of the European Union.

Let me first thank Ms. Valiñas for her oral update and offer a strong word of appreciation for her and for the team’s work. We reiterate our support to the Fact-Finding Mission.

We remain deeply worried with the human rights and humanitarian situation in Venezuela.

Concerns remain on the independence of the judiciary system and its impact on its effectiveness and fairness. The human rights violations and abuses and the lack of due process, documented in the latest report, are deeply worrying. We reiterate the call for concrete steps to reinstall the independence of the judiciary.

Portugal, along with the EU, has consistently condemned repression and impunity in Venezuela, and has stressed the need for accountability of human rights violations and abuses.

We call for immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained, and for the need to protect and respect the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, including freedom to seek information. The authorities have the obligation to prevent harassment and attacks against journalists, media workers and human rights defenders.

We regret the lack of cooperation of the authorities with the FFM and reiterate the need for Venezuela to collaborate with the Mission and to address urgently its findings and recommendations. At the same time we note with appreciation the ongoing collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and encourage the strengthening of this cooperation.

Finally, Portugal calls on all parties in Venezuela to resume the comprehensive Venezuelan-led negotiations in Mexico, paving the way to a peaceful and democratic solution to the current crisis, including through credible, inclusive, and transparent elections.

Thank you

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