A group of experts from the Organization of American States (OAS) presented this Friday (3) in Washington a report that shows how the Venezuelan dictatorship covered up crimes against humanity.
The panel called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate “specific people” in the country so that arrest orders can be issued.
The presentation broadcast online detailed that, in a sample of 183 cases of human rights violations that occurred in Venezuela since 2014, such as murders, torture and political persecution, only 12 went to trial, a percentage of 6%.
Of 76 murder cases that occurred in Caracas and Carabobo since 2014 analyzed by the panel, 84.2% remain under investigation.
In 1,500 episodes of torture reported since 2014, no action was taken in 83% of cases.
For experts, this negligence indicates a clear pattern of covering up crimes against humanity committed in Venezuela.
“The impunity gap that exists in Venezuela has facilitated, in general, the continued practice of crimes against humanity and, in particular, of crimes of persecution and imprisonment, especially against anyone considered a political dissident, thus intensifying interference and electoral repression on the eve of the 2024 Venezuelan elections”, highlighted the report.
Experts recommended that the ICC, which has an open investigation against Venezuela and whose chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, was in Caracas in April, accelerate accountability for crimes against humanity committed in the country.
“The panel’s recommendation is that the ICC prosecutor’s office urgently engage in greater depth to analyze the nature of these reported crimes, open investigations against specific individuals and advance these cases before the court for arrest orders,” he said. Joanna Frivet, OAS panel member.
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