Venezuela: Unending cycle of violence and repression threatens the lives of the Venezuelan people
| Publisher | Amnesty International |
| Publication Date | 19 April 2017 |
| Cite as | Amnesty International, Venezuela: Unending cycle of violence and repression threatens the lives of the Venezuelan people, 19 April 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59088afc4.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The unending spiral of violence and repression during the protests in Venezuela is submerging the country in a crisis that will be hard to come back from, threatening the lives and security of the Venezuelan population, Amnesty International said following reports of at least two deaths and several people injured and detained during the protests around the country today.
The Venezuelan authorities confirmed that Paola Ramírez, 23 years old, and Carlos Moreno, 17 years old, were shot dead in San Cristóbal, Táchira and Caracas respectively.
"Stepping out into the street when protests are taking place in Venezuela should not be a death sentence," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International.
"The tragic combination of growing violence, uncontrolled repression, and lack of action on the part of the authorities to guarantee freedom of expression and justice is a toxic mix that does nothing more than perpetuate violence."
"The Venezuelan authorities must immediately guarantee the people's right to go out into the street and peacefully voice their opinion, and urgently investigate all the reports of human rights abuses committed during the protests."
On the eve of today's protests, the government activated the "Plan Zamora", a security mechanism calling for the deployment civilians alongside police and military forces to "preserve public order".
"The 'Plan Zamora' calls on civilians to engage in an illegitimate use of force. This is a clear recipe for disaster. This is especially concerning given the repeated reports of abuses at the hands of armed civilian groups," said Erika Guevara-Rosas.
