NAN-F-43
Killings
Geneva, April 28, 2017 (dpa/NAN) Some UN human rights observers on Friday demanded that Venezuela should investigate the deaths of more than two dozen people in recent anti-government protests in the country.
The observers include UN Special Rapporteurs on Extra-judicial Killings, Peaceful Assembly and Human Rights Defenders, Agnes Callamard, Maina Kiai and Michel Forst.
“We are gravely concerned about allegations of excessive and indiscriminate use of force during the protests as well as arbitrary detentions and killings.
“Peaceful demonstrations should be facilitated, not treated as an inherent threat to security,” the observers said.
They also criticized the government’s new policy to deploy military and armed civilian units alongside police to respond to the demonstrations.
The protests were triggered in March when the Supreme Court attempted to strip power from the National Assembly.
The ruling was later withdrawn amid international condemnation, but demonstrations continued for weeks, highlighting the growing rage at the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro.
Along with the dozens killed, nearly 500 people have been reported injured and more than 1,200 arrested.
Foreign Minister, Delcy Rodriguez, earlier announced orders from Maduro to leave the Organisation of American States (OAS) after the group called a meeting to discuss the crisis in Venezuela.
However, the opposition-controlled parliament declared the move invalid. (dpa/NAN)
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Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole and Olisa Ifeajika