- Venezuela has ordered the suspension of operations for the local office of the United Nations human rights body, giving its staff 72 hours to leave the country.
- The decision came after the UN agency expressed concern over the detention of prominent rights activist Rocio San Miguel and called for her immediate release.
- Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil accused the UN rights office of promoting opposition to Venezuela and maintaining a discourse against the country.
Details:
- Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil announced the decision to suspend the UN human rights office’s operations at a news conference in Caracas.
- The move follows the UN agency’s expression of concern over the detention of Rocio San Miguel, a prominent rights activist accused by Venezuelan authorities of involvement in an alleged plot to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro.
- Gil accused the UN rights office of taking on an inappropriate role and serving the interests of coup plotters and terrorists against Venezuela.
- The Venezuelan government stated that the suspension would remain in place until the UN agency publicly rectified its attitude and reviewed the terms of technical cooperation over the next 30 days.
- The UN human rights office has operated in Venezuela since 2019, aiming to monitor and report on human rights issues in the country.
Implications:
- The decision to suspend the UN human rights office’s operations reflects escalating tensions between Venezuela and the international community over human rights concerns.
- San Miguel’s detention and the subsequent UN response underscore broader concerns about human rights violations and political repression in Venezuela.
- The suspension of the UN office’s operations may further strain diplomatic relations between Venezuela and the UN, raising questions about international oversight of human rights in the country.
Conclusion: The order to suspend the UN human rights office’s operations in Venezuela signals a significant escalation in the government’s crackdown on dissent and criticism. As international pressure mounts over human rights abuses, Venezuela’s actions risk isolating the country further on the global stage.
Author of Social News Outlet, Tanvi Garg weaves compelling narratives that illuminate the human stories behind headlines.
