UN Human Rights Council 63: UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Venezuela
UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Venezuela. Delivered at the 63rd Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Thank you, Mr Vice-President.
The United Kingdom thanks the experts for their report and also welcomes the continued engagement of OHCHR in Venezuela.
We welcome the progress made in Venezuela in recent months. We have seen important confidence building measures, including the release of political prisoners and the start of dialogue between the Venezuelan authorities and representatives of the opposition. We welcome the agreements reached through these talks, which demonstrate the value of dialogue in addressing Venezuela’s longstanding challenges.
These developments provide a foundation for further progress on the recommendations of the FFM regarding ending arbitrary detention, restoring the rule of law and strengthening judicial independence, as well as ensuring full respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Venezuelans.
We encourage the Venezuelan Government to continue cooperating with OHCHR including by facilitating access to places of detention and urge it to cooperate with the Fact-Finding Mission. We welcome recent steps to increase transparency, including the announcement that the International Committee of the Red Cross will be granted access to detention centres.
The UK remains committed to supporting a peaceful, democratic transition that reflects the will of all Venezuelans.