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https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/13/venezuela-un-human-rights-election-protest>
"United Nations human rights investigators have urged Venezuela’s authoritarian
leader, Nicolás Maduro, to halt the “fierce repression” being perpetrated by
his security forces after last month’s allegedly stolen presidential election.
In a statement published two weeks after the 28 July vote, the UN’s
fact-finding mission to Venezuela condemned Maduro’s “escalating” crackdown,
during which more than 100 children and teens have been detained. The UN
investigators said they had recorded 23 deaths, the vast majority caused by
gunfire and nearly all young men.
“Street protests, as well as criticism on social media, in the weeks following
the election have been met with fierce repression by the state, as directed by
its highest authorities, inducing a climate of widespread fear,” added the
group, calling for a thorough investigation of “the spate of grave human rights
violations that are currently occurring”.
Maduro, who claimed victory in the recent election despite compelling evidence
that actually he lost heavily to his rival Edmundo González, looks unlikely to
heed the UN’s call.
On Monday, Venezuela’s strongman leader ordered officials to treat his
“fascist” opponents with an “iron fist” and vowed to severely punish those
challenging his government. Maduro, who has governed in an increasingly
authoritarian manner since being elected in 2013, has refused to release
detailed election data supporting his supposed victory, despite calls from
countries including Brazil and Colombia to do so.
The opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was the driving force behind
González’s presidential campaign, has called fresh anti-Maduro protests for
next Saturday in cities around the world."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
