Geneva, Oct. 15, (dpa/GNA) – Authorities in Venezuela have committed serious human rights violations as part of a coordinated plan to silence protesters and perceived government opponents in the course of July’s presidential vote, a UN report said on Tuesday.
The UN’s International Independent Investigation Commission stated that these violations include arbitrary arrests, torture, short-term disappearances and sexual violence, with children and people with disabilities among the victims.
The investigation expands upon an initial report by the commission released last month. It documents abuses allegedly committed by the Venezuelan government, security forces and government-affiliated armed civilian groups before, during and after the election.
Prisoners have allegedly been threatened with torture to force them to incriminate themselves for crimes such as terrorism.
The report states that the lack of evidence and the absence of lawyers of their choice place the victims in a particularly vulnerable position.
Following a presidential election on July 28 that was denounced as lacking transparency and integrity, the electoral authority, which is loyal to the ruling party, declared long-time President Nicolás Maduro the winner.
The country’s opposition, supported by the United States and countries in Latin American, said there had been widespread electoral fraud and claimed victory for their candidate Edmundo González.
Protests broke out before and after the election and were violently suppressed by the authorities.
According to the investigation commission, 25 people were killed and hundreds more injured in the most recent protests.
GNA