Venezuela should implement its human rights obligations

During its UPR in 2011, the Venezuelan government noted key recommendations on critically important human rights problems, but this has meant nothing in practice. In fact, the in-country situation has gotten dramatically worse since then. In 2011, the government noted a recommendation to “fight against misuse of power by security forces.” In 2014, it responded to massive anti-government protests with brutal force, held detainees incommunicado, and committed abuses against them, including severe beatings, electric shocks or burns. Protesters continue to be subject to prosecution for participating in peaceful demonstrations. More…