HRC52 - Interactive Dialogue on the oral update by the High Commissioner on human rights in Venezuela

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HRC52 - Interactive Dialogue on the oral update by the High Commissioner on human rights in Venezuela

21.03.2023 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

52^nd session

Interactive Dialogue on the oral update by the High Commissioner on human rights in Venezuela

EU Intervention

21 March 2023

Mr. President,

The European Union thanks the High Commissioner for his oral update on the human rights' situation in Venezuela.

The EU warmly welcomes his recent visit to the country and the extension and reinforcement of his Office in Venezuela for another two years. We will continue to strongly support the Office's important work, including financially, and call on Venezuela to cooperate fully with all international human rights mechanisms, including the Fact-Finding Mission and the International Criminal Court.

The EU remains deeply concerned about the human rights violations and abuses, including political repression, in Venezuela. We join your call for political and judicial system reforms, as well as for the immediate and unconditional release of arbitrarily detained prisoners. The EU is particularly concerned about the proposed law to regulate and criminaliseNGOs.

We are convinced that any sustainable way out of the crisis needs inclusive Venezuelan-led political negotiations. We therefore welcome the resumption of the negotiations in Mexico, including the social agreement, andencourage both parties to pursue constructive engagement, so that credible, transparent and inclusive elections can be facilitated.

Mr High Commissioner,

Could you please elaborate on the status of implementation of human rights' recommendations made so far, and on which concrete areas your Office will work as per the terms of the new MoU?

Thank you.