American Association of Jurists alleges that High Commissioner's report fosters distorted image about Venezuela - MPPRE

American Association of Jurists alleges that High Commissioner’s report fosters distorted image about Venezuela

The American Association of Jurists, represented by Gianfranco Ferrer, had a right to speak on Wednesday before the Human Rights Council of the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland, in which he stated that “the crisis suffered by Venezuelans is not humanitarian”. The assertion is based on a conclusive report that they prepare on the visit made by representatives of this Non-Governmental Organization to Venezuela, as part of a delegation of human rights defenders, from November 10 to 16 of this year, to verify human rights conditions in the country. On Wednesday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, presented in Geneva the oral update of her report on Venezuela. Ferrer explained that the delegation is concerned that the arguments on which the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is based, omit the analysis of the causes that generate it and foster a distorted image of the real situation that the South American nation is experiencing today, warning that they could end up “proving skillful to justify an intervention in Venezuela”. He pointed out that the organizations of the human rights protection systems must strive to avoid the instrumental use of those rights that end up justifying sanctions, economic and commercial blockages, unilateral coercive measures and armed interventions. “This mission has been able to verify the effects of these sanctions. The unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States government and its allies, impede the enjoyment and full exercise of human rights in Venezuela, and limit the ability of the Venezuelan State to guarantee and protect them. We have been able to verify the effort of the Venezuelan State in its fulfillment; as well as the instances of dialogue with the opposition and various social actors to achieve at consensual solutions”, he said. The representative of the international NGO reiterated that interference in the internal affairs of countries violates the principles of non-intervention and self-determination of peoples and the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action. “The economic blockade impacts food security, health and productive capacity, to the detriment of the quality of life”, he said. The American Association of Jurists integrates the International Interdisciplinary Coalition for Peace and Democracy, with consultative status before the Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) and permanent representation before the UN New York and Geneva.