Statement rejecting the Expulsion of Representatives of the OHCHR in Venezuela by the Maduro regime.

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 Date: February 15, 2024.

The Foundation for Venezuelan Refugees in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Stichting Venezolaanse Vluchtelingen) in response to the recent decision of the Maduro regime to expel the representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Venezuela, expresses its strongest rejection for the following reasons:

• This measure increases the lack of protection of victims in the face of abuses: Expelling OHCHR representatives deprives victims in Venezuela of an important avenue for the protection and defense of their rights. This leaves people even more vulnerable to the abuses that are committed on a daily basis in the country.

• Attempts to avoid international scrutiny: The expulsion of the OHCHR representatives is a clear attempt by the Maduro government to avoid scrutiny by international human rights bodies. This is unacceptable and goes against the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability.

• Closes another window of protection for victims: The Maduro government, by expelling the representatives of the OHCHR, closes another important window of protection for Venezuelan victims. This move is deeply troubling and demonstrates the government's disregard for the human rights and dignity of its people.

• Prolongs the crisis and persecution: The expulsion of the High Commissioner's team not only prolongs the crisis in Venezuela, but also highlights the persistent persecution and imprisonment of human rights defenders, as well as the criminalization of the critical voice of NGOs, indigenous peoples, communities affected by mining, police abuse, those who exercise their right to free expression and freedom of association, which have been part of the wide range of human rights they have helped to defend. 

It is imperative that the international community strongly condemn this action, because is a serious setback for democracy and respect for human rights in Venezuela, since human rights cannot be sacrificed for the sake of political or ideological interests.