Coordinadora International Venezolana requests to the ICHR an on-site investigation in Venezuela

The Coordinadora Internacional Venezolana, an NGO established in the Washington Metro area, requested that the Inter-American Human Rights Commission realize an on-site investigation in Venezuela to scrutinize the still unclear events related to the April 2002 incidents.

The claimants Ismael Pérez-Vigil, Omar Enrique García-Bolívar, Gonzalo Pacanins, Juan Enrique Yrausquin, Duke Banks Romero, Adriana López Mendoza, Candi de Navarro, María Gabriela Sosa and Antonio Iskandar appeared before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (ICHR) in Washington D.C. requesting that the ICHR formally request the Venezuelan Chancillary permission to conduct this on-site investigation.

“It is necessary that a commission of international experts comprised of serious professionals who are impartial and competent in the area of human rights investigations go to Venezuela to carry out a serious investigation concerning the events of April 2002, and determine who are the responsible parties for these acts of violence,” Pérez-Vigil indicated.

García-Bolívar, also a member of the CIV, indicated that “the request for the on-site investigation requires the accused government to consent to the investigation. However, if the government denies the permit for the investigation, it will demonstrate that it has little interest in erradicating impunity and violence, and without the elimination of these vices, there is no peaceful solution to the Venezuelan crises. For this reason we request the international community to convince the government about the need to have the ICHR realize an on-site investigation in order to curtail human rights violations in Venezuela, and to determine reponsibility for the crimes that have been committed. Recent incidents, such as the violation of private property rights of bottling companies, without compensation payment, and without complying with Due Process; plus the violation of the right to voter participation by the questionable ruling of the Electoral Board of the Supreme Tribunal Council concerning the February 2 consultative Referendum, demonstrates that Venezuela has had no progress in the area of Human Rights.”

Yrausquin, a lawyer, emphasized that the request states clearly the need of an on-site investigation considering that “Nine months after the April 2002 incidents, the creation a Truth Commission, as recommended by the OAS, and promised by the Venezuelan Government, does not appear imminent, nor has the government demonstrated a serious intent to create one. The continued levels of impuniy that reigns in Venezuela needs to cease immediately. For this reason we request that that the ICHR make a site trip to Venezuela with urgency. Given the precarious human rights situation in Venezuela, it is necessary for the international community to expressly recognize that there is no true democracy in Venezuela.” According to this attorney, the ICHR should make public its request to the Venezuelan government concerning the investigation. “I remember that the Secreatry-General of the OAS, César Gaviria, promised to Mohammed Mehri (father of one of the April 11 victims) that he would make sure that the necessary actions are taken to ensure that justice would prevail in the case of his son.”

According to Adriana López Mendoza, it is now time that the ICHR request the government to move forward on the formation of a Truth Commision, even if another name is used, something that has yet to be accomplished in Venezuela.

Pacanins said, “We have stated to the international community that we are aware that the problems of Venezuela need to be resolved by Venezuelans, but we need colaboration from the member states of the OAS. One of the ways to collaborate is assisting us create the proper ambiance for peace. For this reason we request the OAS and the international community help us sort the obstacles towards peace, and make a presence in Venezuela to help detain the incrase in violence.”

Duke Banks explained that currently “each of the basic elements of a democratic system have been compromised, there is no Rule of Law, and the governemnt impedes processes that would allow for free elections. Likewise there is ineffective protection of human rights by the government.”

The claimants have introduced to the ICHR one of the few cases that have been submitted, and which the ICHR has assigned a case file. They consider that the situation of impunity is becoming more critical, especially if one considers that since April 11 a Truth Commission that would allow for the determination of responsibilities for the crimes commited during these days has yet to be established.

The CIV introduced to the ICHR a few days after the events of April 2002, a denounce concerning human rights violations to life and freedom of expression committed by the Venezuelan Government between the dates of April 11-14.

On October 11, as a follow up to the initial filing, the Coordinadora Internacional Venezolana, presented a compillation of proofs – exceeding 1,000 pages – that presents evidence concerning the linkages between the deplorable acts of last April and the government led by Hugo Chávez Frías, who is presently being investigated by the ICHR.