Constitutional reform planned for Venezuela alarms UN human rights experts
Three independent United Nations human rights experts today voiced concern about planned constitutional reforms in
Venezuela, saying the proposed changes could curb civil liberties and breach the South American country's international
treaty commitments.
In a joint statement, the rapporteurs say that the proposals - which will go before Venezuelan voters in a referendum on
Sunday - "will curtail a set of fundamental rights that should be enjoyed at all times, including during states of
emergencies," citing the right to freedom of expression and the right of access to information as two examples.
They say the reforms could also limit the work of journalists and human rights defenders and harm the independence of
the judiciary.
"We call upon the Venezuelan Government to firmly commit to the protection of the set of human rights, safeguarding the
institutional guarantees that ensure that democracy and the rule of law will be upheld at all times," said the
statement, issued by Ambeyi Ligabo, the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Hina
Jilani, the Secretary-General's Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders; and Leandro Despouy, the Special
Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.
Sunday's referendum comes a few weeks after Venezuela's National Assembly approved President Hugo Chavez's reform
proposals, which include allowing the indefinite re-election of the president, extending the presidential term by one
year and ending the autonomy of the country's central bank.
The rapporteurs expressed concern that some provisions regarding the declaration of a state of emergency would hinder
citizens' civil liberties, while the elimination of the Supreme Court's authority to oversee and approve such
declarations would be inconsistent with Venezuela's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights.
Amendments to three articles of the constitution also mean many "fundamental rights... [that are] stepping stones of all
democratic societies" are no longer expressly guaranteed, according to the statement.
"We are also concerned about the situation of human rights defenders as the proposed reform establishes that
associations with a political aim can only access funding at the national level. We fear that this definition might be
selectively applied to human rights organizations to prevent them from accessing international funding," the experts
said.
They also voiced concern about the situation facing human rights defenders and journalists "who have been subject to
threats and attacks that not only affect their personal security, but generate a widespread atmosphere of intimidation
that discourages them from engaging in their activities and from taking public stands for the defence of human rights."
Under the planned reforms the dismissal of Supreme Court judges can be decided a simple majority vote in the National
Assembly, rather than the current two-thirds majority required, leading the rapporteurs to warn of the impact on
judicial independence.
ENDS