A family member of a protestor detained amid a government crackdown speaks during a vigil in Caracas, Venezuela, on Aug. 8.Matias Delacroix/The Associated Press
The United Nations’ top human rights official expressed concern Tuesday over arbitrary detentions and “disproportionate use of force” in Venezuela as security forces crack down after the country’s disputed presidential election.
Forces loyal to President Nicolás Maduro have rounded up more than 2,000 people for demonstrating against him or casting doubt on his claims that he won a third term in the July 28 election despite strong evidence he lost by a more than two-to-one margin.
“It is especially troubling that so many people are being detained, accused or charged either with incitement to hatred or under counterterrorism legislation,” U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a statement. “Criminal law must never be used to limit unduly the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.”
Türk’s comments come as Venezuela’s opposition gears up for a demonstration Saturday that it hopes will increase pressure on Maduro to recognize defeat and negotiate a political transition.
“If Maduro makes a realistic evaluation of his options, he'll understand that digging in is not sustainable,” opposition leader María Corina Machado told journalists Tuesday.
Machado, who anointed previously unknown retired diplomat Edmundo González as her stand-in once she was banned from running in the presidential campaign, spoke to journalists at a virtual press conference from an undisclosed location due to safety concerns.
In her comments, she tried to temper expectations for a quick resolution of the political crisis.
“Nobody knows how long it will take, but without a doubt there are painful days that await us,” Machado said.
The U.N. human rights office said that in most of the cases it has documented, detainees haven’t been allowed to appoint lawyers of their choice or have contact with their families. “Some of these cases would amount to enforced disappearances,” it said.
Türk called for “the immediate release of everyone who has been arbitrarily detained, and for fair trial guarantees for all detainees.” He added that “the disproportionate use of force by law enforcement officials and the attacks on demonstrators by armed individuals supporting the government, some resulting in deaths, must not be repeated.”
Türk also noted there have been reports of violence against public officials and public buildings by some demonstrators and said violence is never the answer.
On Monday, International Criminal Court prosecutors said they are “actively monitoring” events in Venezuela.