John Kerry says Venezuela 'terror campaign' must end

The government says opposition mayors have to act against the street barricades in some areas

13 March 2014 Last updated at 20:20 ET

www.bbc.com

US Secretary of State John Kerry has said the government of Venezuela must end its "terror campaign against its own citizens".

Mr Kerry said the Organisation of American States (OAS), allies and neighbours should demand accountability of Venezuela over the protests.

Authorities say 28 people have died since they began more than a month ago.

Venezuela accuses the United States of helping "right-wing fascists" to plot a coup with the unrest.

Mr Kerry's remarks are the starkest from Washington since the protests began.

IACHR expresses deep concern over the situation with respect to the right to peaceful protest, freedom of association and freedom of expression in Venezuela

February 21, 2014

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has continued to monitor and gather information on the events that have transpired in Venezuela in recent days, and reiterates that it is profoundly disturbed by various complaints alleging violations of the demonstrators’ rights to peaceful protest and their rights to life and humane treatment, personal liberty, freedom of association and freedom of expression. 

The Commission has been particularly attentive to the serious complaints of alleged attacks by armed civilians against the demonstrators, during continued protests taking place in the country. In that context, a number of people were injured and one was killed when shot during the demonstrations staged in the city of Valencia on Tuesday, February 18. Also, according to figures provided by the Ministry of Interior, Justice and Peace, four people were injured bullet and another died in protests in the city of Puerto Ordaz, Wednesday 19. Similarly, the available information refers on activities of these groups in alleged raids made at the headquarters of a political party in Venezuela. 

The IACHR condemns any action of this nature and calls upon the Venezuelan authorities to step up measures aimed at ensuring that these groups are effectively disarmed, that their unlawful actions are investigated and punished and that public safety is guaranteed. The IACHR appreciates that the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, has publicly condemned these acts of violence and made a call to disarm these groups. 

REDLAD: Military and Police Crackdown Against Activists and Students in Venezuela

Source: http://www.redlad.org/node/210

MILITARY AND POLICE CRACKDOWN AGAINST ACTIVISTS AND STUDENTS IN VENEZUELA.

February 2014.

*Unofficial translation done only for the purpose of being understood.

The Permanent Secretariat of Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy (REDLAD) warns about the wave of persecution and military repression in Venezuela recently deployed against youth, students and activists who defend human rights.

Shortages, insecurity, overwhelming inflation rates, the weakening of democracy, authoritarian policies, the persecution of civil society and the media, and the violation of fundamental freedoms and human rights are only part of the causes that have generated several youth organizations throughout the country, with several days in peaceful demonstrations demanding the government restore their rights.