Friday, August 16, 2024 – A coalition of countries, convened in Santo Domingo during the inauguration of the new presidential term of Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader, issued a strong appeal for wisdom and prudence in Venezuela. They urged all social and political actors to exercise the utmost restraint in this critical moment for Venezuela and the region.
“We call for the respect of democratic principles, as well as the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Venezuelans, particularly the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. It is deeply concerning that this is not currently the situation in Venezuela. Reports of arbitrary detentions without due process are alarming, and we demand the immediate release of those detained.”
The declaration strongly condemned the repression of demonstrators and the violence that has claimed the lives of many Venezuelans in the post-election context. The signatories made an urgent plea for Venezuelan authorities to end the violence and release all detainees, including opposition representatives.
“We further urge that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights be allowed to return to Venezuela as a matter of urgency, and we call on Venezuela to guarantee the conditions necessary for it to fully carry out its mandate.”
The declaration also demanded that Venezuela, as a State Party to the Caracas Convention on Diplomatic Asylum of 1954, comply with its provisions and issue safe-conducts for the six asylum-seekers who remain in the official residence of the Argentine Republic, allowing them to safely leave Venezuelan territory.
The signatory countries called for the immediate publication of all original tally sheets and the impartial, independent verification of those results, preferably by an international entity, to ensure that the will of the Venezuelan people expressed at the polls is respected. “Any delay in this process calls into question the results officially published on August 2, 2024.”
“Our nations have a history of advocating dialogue and understanding to resolve serious conflicts. Today, more than ever, Venezuela must honor that legacy to restore peaceful coexistence, public security, and political stability, which, according to reports from the UN Human Rights Council’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, are currently being jeopardized by Venezuela’s own security authorities.”
The declaration concludes with a commitment to always support a genuinely Venezuelan solution in which democracy, justice, peace, and security prevail.
Signed in Santo Domingo:
Republic of Argentina, Canada, Republic of Chile, Czech Republic, Republic of Costa Rica, Republic of Ecuador, Kingdom of Spain, United States of America, Republic of Guatemala, Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Italian Republic, Kingdom of Morocco, Kingdom of the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Republic of Panama, Republic of Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Portuguese Republic, Oriental Republic of Uruguay and the European Union.
