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UN Report Accuses Venezula Regime of Murder, Torture, Repression

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - A U.N. report accuses the government of Venezuelan President
   Nicolas Maduro of extra-judicial killings and of repressive measures
   aimed at neutralizing political opponents. U.N. High Commissioner for
   Human Rights Michele Bachelet presented the report Friday to the U.N.
   Human Rights Council.

   The report presents a grim picture of a society where people are
   killed, arbitrarily arrested, tortured and deprived of the basic
   commodities needed for survival. It reports a shockingly high number of
   alleged extrajudicial killings by Venezuela's security forces against
   so-called criminals purportedly resisting arrest.

   Michele Bachelet, the U.N. human rights chief, says perceived political
   opponents and human rights defenders are subject to threats, smear
   campaigns and widespread abuse including torture, sexual violence,
   killings and enforced disappearance.

   "Excessive and lethal force has repeatedly been used against
   protesters. My office has also documented excessive use of force in the
   context of security operations by the Special Action Forces, with
   multiple killings, mainly of young men," she said. "Many could
   constitute extrajudicial killings and should be fully investigated,
   with accountability of perpetrators, and guarantees of non-recurrence."

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