Human Rights Council

Geneva, 19 September 2024

Mr. President,

We thank the members of the Fact-Finding Mission and commend the independence, objectivity and professionalism of their work.

 

The members of the FFM reported a worsening of the human rights situation, following the presidential elections of 28 July 2024. It appears that the authorities have reactivated repression and persecution.

 

Our concern, expressed in this room on the eve of the presidential elections of 28 July 2024 in Venezuela, about the increase in state repression and systematic violations of human rights in the country, is unfortunately certified.

 

Our calls to the Venezuelan authorities to create a safe and inclusive environment and to ensure respect and protection of the right to vote, have not been heard. These elections were neither free nor fair, therefore they cannot be credible.

 

Our hope that the success of these elections could bring political stability to the country and promote a space where human rights will finally be respected, is still far from being a reality.

 

The post-election period is marked by violence and arbitrary arrests, targeting the opposition and political leaders, of which the arrest warrant against presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez is irrefutable proof of these human rights violations that apparently spare no one.

 

Impunity and the absence of an independent judiciary, capable of investigating serious human rights violations, has become a norm.

 

In conclusion, Albania supports the extension of the mandate of the FFM on Venezuela in order to fight impunity and ensure that the perpetrators of human rights violations are fully held accountable for their actions and that justice is rendered to the victims and their families.

 

Thank you.