Venezuela News: Human Rights Watch Denounces 45 Cases Of Abuse During Caracas Protests

Venezuela's repression of it's citizens has been called "systemic" by José Miguel Vivanco, director of Human Rights Watch in Latin America. A report that has found that security forces as well as armed vigilantes have been attacking opposition members at will. The 103-page report, “Punished for Protesting: Rights Violations in Venezuela’s Streets, Detention Centers, and Justice System,” documents 45 cases from Caracas and three states, involving more than 150 victims.

“The scale of rights violations we found in Venezuela and the collaboration of security forces and justice officials in committing them shows these aren’t isolated incidents or the excesses of a few rogue actors,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “Rather, they are the part of an alarming pattern of abuse that is the worst we have seen in Venezuela in years.” The investigation took place in March with visits to Caracas and the states of Carabobo, Lara and Miranda.

Venezuela has seen endless protests since February 12 in which members of the opposition lead by students marched against deplorable conditions in the country. “It’s critical for opposition leaders to continue to reject any acts of violence by protesters, and to do so as emphatically as possible,” Vivanco said. “But let’s be clear, nothing justifies the brutal tactics by the Venezuelan security forces.” Since the start of the protests, hundreds of opposition protesters have been killed or imprisoned.