OHCHR PRESS BRIEFING NOTES - (1) South Sudan (2) Venezuela
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Rupert Colville
Location: Geneva
Subject: (1) South Sudan
(2) Venezuela
(1) South Sudan
Today we are releasing a report produced jointly with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). It contains the findings
of an in-depth investigation into human rights violations and abuses committed in and around the town of Yei, some 150
kilometres south-west of Juba, between July 2016 and January 2017. See the press release (in English and French) at: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21638=E
and the report itself at: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/SS/UNMISSReportJuly2016_January2017.pdf
(2) Venezuela (summary of responses to questions):
We very much regret the continued loss of lives during the political unrest. The latest figure we have is the one given
out on 17 May by the Attorney General who confirmed 42 deaths in the context of the protests.
We welcome her announcement that the deaths will be investigated -- and we believe it is important they are properly
investigated. There are allegations of excessive use of force by security forces, so we stress again the importance of
them operating in accordance with international human rights standards. With regard to reports of violence by armed
groups, it is the responsibility of the state to protect the population from armed groups, and from the proliferation of
weapons.
We also urge demonstrators to protest peacefully.
We are very concerned by the reports that people detained during the protests are being brought before military
tribunals. Civilians taking part in protests should not be put before military tribunals. If they are accused
legitimately of some kind of crime they should be appearing before civilian courts.
On the issue of Mr. Henrique Capriles allegedly being prevented from leaving Venezuela, we can confirm he was due to
meet the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, in New York today. On hearing the news last night,
Zeid stated [on Twitter] that he had been hoping to see Mr. Capriles at the UN in New York, and regretted that he had
been unable to travel. The High Commissioner added that he hopes that the incident is not a reprisal linked to the
planned meeting with him in New York today.
The High Commissioner will go ahead with a meeting this afternoon in New York with Mr. Capriles's lawyer who we
understand wishes to share a report that Mr. Capriles had himself been planning to present to the High Commissioner
today.
We find the rising tensions in Venezuela very alarming, and incidents like that involving Mr. Capriles yesterday are
unlikely to help reduce tensions.
ENDS