Delivered by: H.E. Ms Anna Jardfelt, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN in Geneva
Chairperson,
The work of the Fact-Finding Mission is of utmost importance. Sweden fully supports the extension of the Mission’s mandate. We thank the Mission for presenting its findings.
We continue to be deeply concerned about the human rights and humanitarian situation in Venezuela, including the grave situation in Arco Minero and other regions.
The report by the Fact-Finding Mission paints a very bleak and worrisome picture highlighting gross violations of human rights , including grave acts of torture committed by state intelligence agencies with the intent to repress political opponents. We urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally end the systematic human rights violations and abuses in the country. The perpetrators must be brought to justice and the prevailing impunity end.
We call on the Venezuelan Government to return to the political negotiations in good faith, as a step towards the reinstitution of democracy, rule of law and human rights in Venezuela.
Madame Valiñas, Mr. Cox Vial, Madame Tappatá Valdez,
Which other measures can the international community take to promote the right to a fair trial, including the independence of the judiciary, and the release of political prisoners in Venezuela?
I thank you.