May 9, 2009

Venezuela Categorically Rejects Inter-American Human Rights Commission Report

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela categorically rejected the report presented by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) which included Venezuela among countries that need to improve the defense and fulfillment of human rights. 

The mission, headed by the Venezuelan Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS) Roy Chaderton, rejects the insistence of the body to call attention to Venezuela, which for the sixth time has been included in Chapter IV of the IACHR report.

Venezuela protests because the report “is not supported by facts proven by trustworthy and reliable methods.”

Beyond Venezuela, the IACHR included Colombia, Cuba and Haiti in the 2008 report on the state of human rights on the continent.

The Venezuelan delegation insists on the necessity of “an objective, transparent and apolitical commission” to avoid “manipulation that some countries (in regard to human rights) use to attack other countries that make them uncomfortable.”

The case of Cuba is proof of the unjust treatment of a country that was suspended from the OAS in 1962, in which the report “criticizes a country that cannot defend itself” within this hemispheric body.

Although, the IACHR did include in the report that last March the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San Jose, Costa Rica, absolved Venezuela in two cases of alleged aggression and persecution of journalists from two television channels. 

In accordance with the ruling of the Court, regarding charges made by journalists and workers of Globovision and Radio Caracas Television, Venezuela was absolved in both cases of charges violation of the right of equality before the law, private property and freedom of expression.

Venezolana de Televisión (VTV)