Press release

UK statement on Venezuelan decision to bar human rights activist from travelling

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office responds to Venezuelan ban on Lilian Tintori travelling to Europe.

A Foreign & Commonwealth Office spokesperson said:

The UK regrets that the Venezuelan authorities have today prevented Lilian Tintori, the human rights activist and wife of Leopoldo Lopez, from leaving the country. We condemn the timing of this decision. Ms Tintori was due to visit London this week for a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss human rights, as part of an important initiative to update European governments on the situation in Venezuela. The UK hopes that Ms Tintori will be permitted to travel soon.

The UK calls on all parties in Venezuela to come together to negotiate concrete actions to put the country on a path that respects the Venezuelan people’s human rights and democratic aspirations. In particular, it is the responsibility of the Venezuelan government to avoid further steps that increase tension and take Venezuela away from democracy.

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Published 2 September 2017