The imprisonment in #Venezuela of Rocío San Miguel, one of the country’s most prominent civil society activists, on charges including terrorism and treason, has triggered condemnation around the world along with calls for her immediate release. An explanatory thread -> San Miguel @rociosanmiguel, a lawyer who campaigns on defence and security issues, was snatched Friday at the country’s main airport and has been held incommunicado at an unknown location. Her daughter Miranda and four other family members also subsequently disappeared. On Monday night the government’s chief prosecutor, @TarekWiliamSaab announced via @X that all six were appearing before an anti-terrorism judge. The hearing was held in secret and the defendants were not allowed access to their lawyers. By Phil Gunson. Full Text -> X ( Former Tweeter)

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“Durante el primer semestre de 2022 se documentó cómo el Estado venezolano avanza en la ejecución de patrones para obstaculizar, limitar y afectar las actividades de quienes se encuentran en primera línea de acción, respondiendo a la crisis de derechos humanos”, indicó la ONG en su informe. Texto Completo -> Monitoreamos

︎For English text, use Google’s translator at the bottom ︎

Three local and foreign human rights organizations reported Tuesday that attacks on rights defenders and civil society organizations in Venezuela have increased by 157% since 2019. The Human Rights Office of the Archdiocese of Caracas, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, and COFAVIC, a human rights non-governmental organization (NGO), published the report. The report explains that the crisis of the right to defend human rights in Venezuela has deepened significantly against the backdrop of COVID-19. The primary victims of the attacks are human rights NGOs, “which shows the deepening pattern of persecution against the expressions of organized civil society in Venezuela.”By Payton Smith. Full Text -> Jurist

“Johan, Yordy, Layners, Alejandro and Luis are prisoners of conscience, detained solely because of the humanitarian work they carry out in Venezuela with Azul Positivo. The authorities of Nicolás Maduro’s government must release them immediately and unconditionally and put an end to the harassment, prosecution and censorship of all civil society organizations working to protect the rights of the Venezuelan people. Azul Positivo’s work is admirable and much needed to mitigate the impact of the humanitarian crisis on the population. Their work should be protected and celebrated, not criminalized.” Full Text -> Amnesty International