Venezuela: UN independent investigators on Monday called for immediate release of all political prisoners in Venezuela, stating that more than 100 political prisoners had been released in the country.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the independent UN human rights investigators, in a statement, said the government had announced the release of more than 100 political prisoners. This announcement comes shortly after the United States’ seizure and rendition of President Nicol¡s Maduro in Caracas.
The Human Rights Council-mandated Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela estimates that approximately 800 political prisoners remain detained. The mission emphasized that the partial release does not fulfill the government’s human rights obligations for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. This development occurs as the nation transitions to new leadership under Acting President Delcy Rodrguez.
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has urged Venezuelan authorities and the United States to uphold international law and voiced concerns over increased militarization in the country. The fact-finding mission has documented the systematic use of arbitrary detention as a tool of repression and reiterated its call for the ‘immediate and unconditional’ release of all political prisoners.
The experts also urged authorities to provide public information about prisoners and ensure detention conditions meet international standards, including the cessation of torture and cruel treatment. They emphasized that relatives should receive timely information about the status of their loved ones and be guaranteed access and regular visits.
Investigators reported that armed colectivos, government-backed groups, have been patrolling cities and intimidating residents since the US operation. Additionally, new arrests have been made during the crisis targeting those expressing dissenting political views.
Since its establishment in 2019, the independent fact-finding mission for Venezuela has documented multiple rights violations. The mission’s investigation into the country’s contested 2024 presidential elections revealed arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and torture. The mission stated that authorities have not complied with recommendations to investigate these violations or implement preventive measures.
The investigators also found that during protests in 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2024, officials from Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Guard used excessive force, including improper use of lethal and less-lethal weapons, among other violations.