NGO Law Monitor: Venezuela
Introduction | At a Glance | Key Indicators | International Rankings
Legal Snapshot | Legal Analysis | Reports | News and Additional Resources
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Last updated 4 May 2012
Update: The Law against Organized Crime and Financing of Terrorism contains 30 new and 25 revised articles and was passed by the National Assembly on December 27, 2011. On May 2, 2012 the Law on Terrorism and Organized Crime was published in the Official Gazette, which means that it is now in full effect.
Introduction
Civil society has a long tradition in Venezuela. Civil society organizations may assume various forms, such as NGOs, foundations, neighborhood groups, community organizations and cooperatives. The two primary forms in which non-governmental, non-profit organizations (NPOs) acquire legal personality are civil associations and foundations.
The current Constitution of Venezuela was approved in 1999, and gave a considerable boost to the protection of human rights and citizen participation. The Preamble states that one of the main constitutional objectives is to promote civil participation in order to achieve a participatory democracy. More than 100 articles included in the Constitution seek to promote and protect human rights and citizens’ right to participate as the foundation of democratic coexistence and social peace. Since the approval of the Constitution in 1999, numerous associations have emerged and there is a considerable effort being made to cultivate popular enthusiasm for participation.
Nonetheless, this participatory initiative has been challenged by the Venezuelan Government through both restrictive laws and unwritten government practice targeting NGOs which seek to promote human rights or monitor State actions. Perhaps most disturbingly, the continued existence and functioning of NGOs may be threatened by the draft law entitled Ley de Cooperación Internacional (International Cooperation Law, or “ICL”). The ICL is constraining and ambiguous, and framed in a political context which aims to restrict international cooperation as well as citizen’s rights and liberties, and especially the right of freedom of association.
At a Glance
| Organizational Forms | NPOs (Civil Associations and Foundations) |
| Registration Body | Subsidiary Registry Office (Branch of the Civil Registry System) |
| Approximate Number | Venezuela does not have any precise data on this subject. Nonetheless, according to REDSOC, which is one of the most important organizations dedicated to gathering information on the subject, there are 960 NPOs registered in Venezuela. |
| Barriers to Entry | Register before the Subsidiary Registry Office according to the Venezuelan Civil Code (Article 19). Cases have been reported on Registries making the registration process difficult and in some cases forbidding to organizations dedicated to human rights defense. |
| Barriers to Activities | A wide range of activities is permitted as long as the activities are enumerated in the organization’s governing documents. Foundations are allowed to dedicate themselves to public interest activities in the areas of art, science, literature, charity and social activities. |
| Barriers to Speech and/or Advocacy | No formal legal barriers. However, cases of direct governmental retaliation and prosecution against members of NPOs that exercise the right of freedom of speech or advocacy have been reported. |
| Barriers to International Contact | No formal legal barriers. However, cases of direct governmental retaliation and threats against NPOs that work with foreign organizations have been reported. |
| Barriers to Resources | There are restrictions relating to exchange control. Any financial activity that might be deemed as suspicious must be reported, even if the source of the funds is legitimate. |
Key Indicators
| Population | 27,223,228 (July 2010 est.) |
| Capital | Caracas |
| Type of Government | Federal Republic |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | Male: 70.69 years Female: 77 years (2010 est.) |
| Literacy Rate | Male: 93.3% Female: 92.7% (2001 census) |
| Religious Groups | Nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%. |
| Ethnic Groups | Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people |
| GDP per capita | $12,600 (2010 est.) |
Source: The World Factbook. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2011.
International Rankings
| Ranking Body | Rank | Ranking Scale (best – worst possible) |
| UN Human Development Index | 78 (2010) | 1 – 169 |
| World Bank Rule of Law Index | 2.8 (2009) | 100 – 0 |
| World Bank Voice & Accountability Index | 36.0 (2009) | 100 – 0 |
| Transparency International | 164 (2010) | 1 – 178 |
| Freedom House: Freedom in the World | Status: Partly Free Political Rights: 5 Civil Liberties: 4 (2010) |
Free/Partly Free/Not Free 1 – 7 1 – 7 |
| Foreign Policy: Failed States Index |
83 (2010) | 177-1 |
Legal Snapshot
International and Regional Human Rights Agreements
| Key International Agreements | Ratification* | Year |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | Yes | 1978 |
| Optional Protocol to ICCPR (ICCPR-OP1) | Yes | 1978 |
| International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) | Yes | 1978 |
| Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention | Yes | 1982 |
| International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) | Yes | 1969 |
| Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) | Yes | 1983 |
| Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women | Yes | 1999 |
| Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) | Yes | 1990 |
| International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (ICRMW) | No | -- |
| Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) | No | |
| Universal Declaration of Human Rights | Yes | 1948 |
| Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide | Yes | 1960 |
| International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid | Yes | 1982 |
| Convention on the Political Rights of Women | Yes | 1983 |
| Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment | Yes | 1991 |
| 1967 Protocol on the Status of Refugees | Yes | 1986 |
| First and Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty | Yes | 1992 |
| Regional Treaties | ||
| American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man | Yes | 1948 |
| American Convention on Human Rights | Yes | 1969 |
| Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture | Yes | 1985 |
| Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women | Yes | 1994 |
| Inter-American Convention on the Forced Disappearance of Persons | Yes | 1994 |
| Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities | Yes | 1999 |
| Proposed American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples | Yes | 1997 |
| Protocol of San Salvador: Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights | Yes | 1988 |
| Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights to Abolish the Death Penalty | Yes | 1990 |
* Category includes ratification, accession, or succession to the treaty
Constitutional Framework
The Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela was adopted in December 30, 1999 through Official Gazette No. 36.860. The Venezuelan Constitution dedicates a considerable number of articles to protecting and stating the importance of the protection of human rights. In relation to the right of freedom of association, the most relevant articles include:
Article 52: Everyone has the right to assemble for lawful purposes, in accordance with law. The State is obligated to facilitate the exercise of this right.
Article 53: Everyone has the right to meet publicly or privately, without obtaining permission in advance, for lawful purposes and without weapons. Meetings in public places may be regulated by law.
Article 57: Everyone has the right to express freely his or her thoughts, ideas or opinions orally, in writing or by any other form of expression, and to use for such purpose any means of communication and diffusion, and no censorship shall be established. Anyone making use of this right assumes full responsibility for everything expressed. Anonymity, war propaganda, discriminatory messages or those promoting religious intolerance are not permitted.
Censorship restricting the ability of public officials to report on matters for which they are responsible is prohibited.
Article 61: All persons have the right to freedom of conscience, and to express the same except those practices affecting personality or constituting criminal offense. Objections of conscience may not be invoked in order to evade compliance with law or prevent others from complying with law or exercising their rights.
Article 67: All citizens have the right of association for political purposes, through democratic methods of organization, operation and direction. Their governing organs and candidates for offices filled by popular vote shall be selected by internal elections with participation of their members. No financing of associations for political purposes with State funds shall be permitted.
Matters relating to the financing of and private contributions to associations for political purposes shall be regulated by law, as shall the oversight mechanisms to guarantee propriety as to the sources and handling of such funds. Law shall also regulate political and election campaigns, the duration thereof and spending limits with a view pursuing its democratization.
Citizens, on their own initiative, and associations for political purposes, shall be entitled to participate in the electoral process, putting forward candidates. The financing of political advertising and election campaigns shall be regulated by law. The authorities of associations for political purposes shall not enter into contracts with organs in the public sector.
Article 68: Citizens have the right to demonstrate, peacefully and without weapons, subject only to such requirements as may be established by law. The use of firearms and toxic substances to control peaceful demonstrations is prohibited. The activity of police and security corps in maintaining public order shall be regulated by law.
National Laws and Regulations Affecting Sector
- Constitution (1999)
- Código Civil (CC) (Civil Code)
- El Codigo Organico Tributario (Tax Code) (2001)
- Ley de Impuestos Sobre la Renta (LISR) (Income Tax Law) (as amended in 2007 by the Reforma Parcial de la Ley de Impuestos Sobre la Renta)
- Ley de Impuesto Sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones (Law on Taxation of Inheritance and Donations)
- Ley para Personas con Incapacidades (Law for Disabled Persons) (2007)
- Ley de Impuestos Valor Agregado (LIVA) (Value Added Tax) (as amended in 2007 by the Reforma Parcial de la Ley que establece el Impuesto al Valor Agregado (partial reform of the statute that creates VAT)
- Ley Organica de Aduanas (Customs Law) (1999)
- Ley Organica de la Educacion (Education Law) 2009
- Ley Organica para la Protección del Niño y del Adolescente
- Regulamiento de la Ley de Impuestos Sobre la Renta (RLISR) (Regulation to the Income Tax Law)
- Regulamiento de la Ley que Establece el Impuesto al Valor Agregado (Regulation to the VAT Law) (1999)
- Decreto con rango, valor y fuerza de ley de la reconversión monetaria (Presidential Decree on Monetary Reconversion) (2007)
- Ley Orgánica Contra el Crimen Organizado
- Reforma de la Ley Organica Contra la Delincuencia Organizada y Financiamiento Al Terrorismo (2012)
Pending NGO Legislative / Regulatory Initiatives
The International Cooperation Law. In 2006 the National Assembly introduced, and passed on first reading, a restrictive draft Law on International Cooperation. The legislature did not take further action, and the law was never enacted.
In November 2010, Chavez made a speech imploring the National Assembly to make “a severe law” that would impede political and non-governmental organizations that are financed by the "Yankee Empire." The Assembly took under consideration a revised version of the International Cooperation Law. The Foreign Affairs Permanent Committee of the National Assembly met on December 1 and released a statement saying it planned to begin a comprehensive review of the law during the second week of December.
Venezuelan NGOs vigorously oppose the law, which they fear will ban international funding entirely, impeding their ability to garner sufficient financial resources to carry out their missions. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) also expressed its concern that the law’s provisions will restrict the international funding needed by nongovernmental organizations.
The law requires a vast array of organizations to register and subject themselves to highly discretionary government supervision if they engage in any international cooperation activity, broadly defined. The 2010 draft expands the type of organizations required to register under the law but is otherwise substantially similar to the 2006 draft. It contains the following provisions:
- The law establishes a Fund for International Cooperation and Assistance that will collect “inheritances, donations, transfers, and other resources received from other governments, international entities, cooperating sources, and national or foreign public and private institutions for purposes of supporting cooperation.”The Fund will potentially allow the government to collect international funds from donors and redirect them in accordance with national priorities as determined by the State. Venezuelan organizations will face serious restrictions on their ability to raise funds, particularly for activities that the government disfavors. This burden may disproportionately affect human rights defenders and advocacy organizations.
- A new executive agency will be created to regulate international cooperation with foreign states, international organizations, NGOs, and others and to “organize, direct, control, coordinate, pursue and evaluate all "activities of international cooperation" in Venezuela. Because the agency’s officials are chosen by the President, it will be able to create its own rules regarding how to register and regulate organizations. It is far from clear at this point how the agency will exercise its discretion and whether it will tolerate NGOs that do not support the President’s policies.
- The Law will prohibit Venezuelan groups from freely exchanging, in addition to money, goods, and services, “improvement of institutional capacities,” and “creation of human talent.” This provision may be interpreted to regulate the exchange of ideas, information, and opinions with foreign counterparts related to the betterment of their organizations or staff. This would essentially cut off any technical assistance programs that domestic NGOs have with their branches or partner organizations abroad.
- The Law creates a system of mandatory registration in order for an organization to be recognized by the State as having the ability to engage in activities with foreign counterparts, as well as to receive money, goods, and services. These registration requirements appear to be in addition to the registration process required to create an organization. A wide range of organizations would be required to register, including organized communities, nongovernmental organizations, universities, corporations, entrepreneurial organizations, unions, and other “social agents regarding those activities related to the international cooperation.” This is a major change from the original draft of the law, which would have required only NGOs to register.
Legal Analysis
Organizational Forms
Venezuelan law recognizes two primary forms of NPOs: civil associations and foundations.
Civil associations are recognized by the Civil Code (CC) [CC, article 19], though they are not specifically defined. Venezuelan courts have defined “civil association” as an assembly of persons organized in a corporate form to realize a common purpose that is non-profit in character.
Similarly, the Civil Code does not explicitly define foundations, but it establishes guidelines for their existence, recognizing that they may be formed only to conduct public benefit activities of an artistic, scientific, literary, charitable, or social nature. [CC article 20] In Venezuelan jurisprudence, “foundation” has been defined as a collection of assets dedicated exclusively and permanently to the attainment of a specific objective.
Public Benefit Status
Civil associations may dedicate themselves to any purpose not contrary to law or public order. A foundation must, by definition, pursue public interest in one of these areas: art, science, literature, charity, or social activities. [CC article 20].
There is no formal governmental process which designates a non-profit organization as a “public benefit organization”. Nevertheless, the Tax Administration implicitly recognizes that particular organizations engage in public benefit activities by granting them tax exemptions under the LISR Articles 14 (3) and (10) and the accompanying regulation. Under the regulation, two types of organizations qualify for income tax exemption: charitable institutions and social assistance institutions. These are not distinct types of legal entities, but rather special designations conferred on eligible associations and foundations.
Barriers to Entry
The Venezuelan Civil Code creates a generally enabling framework for the formation of NPOs. In order to establish a civil association or foundation, the Law requires that it be registered with the Subsidiary Registry Office in the district in which the organization will be based. Registration with the Subsidiary Registry Office is a constitutive formality which grants legal personality to the organization.
In practice, however, state implementation of registration procedures has reportedly made the process difficult and even impeded the registration of NPOs engaging in the defense and promotion of human rights.
Barriers to Operational Activity
Associations are allowed to pursue a broad variety of activities, provided that the activities are enumerated in the organization’s governing documents. Foundations may only dedicate themselves to public interest activities in the areas of art, science, literature, charity, and social activities.
There are currently no legal barriers to an organization’s operational activity.
Barriers to Speech / Advocacy
While there is no express legal prohibition concerning the ability of Venezuelan NPOs to engage in advocacy or political activities, experience has proved that there are practical barriers. The Government has retaliated against members of NPOs who have made studies, reports or declarations criticizing governmental acts. The forms of retaliation vary but include informal threats against the personal integrity of members of NPOs, governmental pressure over donors, judicial prosecution of members of NPOs, and public derision of the NGOs and its members, among others.
Barriers to International Contact
There is no legal prohibition that impedes NPOs from initiating or maintaining international contact. Foreign persons, natural or legal, are fully permitted to establish branch offices in Venezuela. At the same time, however, there have been reported cases of direct governmental retaliation and threats against NPOs that work with foreign organizations.
Barriers to Resources
The principal legal barrier affecting resources springs from the political context that affects all Venezuelan activity and not exclusively NPOs. Since Venezuela has for the past five years been subjected to an exchange control regime, any donation must be converted to Venezuelan local currency, Bolivars. The Ley de IIícitos Cambiarios (Illicit Currency Exchange Law) (“ICEL”) establishes penalties for any legal person – including NPOs – that violates exchange control laws. Penalties include fines and imprisonment.
Since NPOs are considered institutions susceptible to become instruments for money laundering, and other organized crime activities by the Organic Law Against Organized Crime (Ley Orgánica Contra el Crimen Organizado), they are subjected to scrutiny and surveillance by the Executive Organ in charge of the fight against organized crime.
The Law Against Organized Crime and Financing of Terrorism, enacted in December 2011 and effective as of May 2012, requires that any financial activity that might be deemed "suspicious" must be reported, even if the source of the funds is legitimate.
Foreign Funding
The National Assembly on December 21, 2010 passed the Law for Protection of Political Liberty and National Self-determination, which targets NGOs dedicated to the “defense of political rights” or other “political objectives.” Specifically, it precludes these organizations from possessing assets, or receiving any income from foreign sources. Noncompliance could lead to a fine of double the amount received from the foreign source.
Domestic Funding
There are no legal barriers that restrict domestic funding of civil society organizations. The law does require that all legal persons declare the income they receive and how it has been allocated.
An NPO may carry out any type of lawful economic activity compatible with its aims and with its not-for-profit legal personality. Although the Civil Code is silent on the matter, local experts state that Venezuelan courts require that NPOs pursue economic activities only as a means of advancing their non-profit goals, self-sustainability, and financial autonomy.
Due to the current political climate, domestic donors are very careful about funding activities related to human rights defense; they prefer anonymity.
Reports
News and Additional Resources
While we aim to maintain information that is as current as possible, we realize that situations can rapidly change. If you are aware of any additional information or inaccuracies on this page, please keep us informed; write to ICNL at ngomonitor@icnl.org.
General News
Venezuelan NGOs present report before IACHR on freedom of expression concerns (March 2012)
Four Venezuelan NGOs presented a report with complaints about restrictions on freedom of expression and alleged attacks on journalists before the IACHR. The National College of Journalists of Venezuela, the National Union of Press Workers, the Human Rights Center at the Catholic University Andres Bello and Public Space discussed censorship and concerns regarding attacks on journalists in the upcoming election year. (Read more in Spanish)
IACHR Report keeps Venezuela on the human rights blacklist (April 2011)
The IACHR‘s report manifest the organization’s concerns about the harassment of journalists and human rights defenders in Venezuela, and the Enabling Law, which gives the President legislative powers until 2012. Read the full report here.
After 31 days of hunger strikes, students assure Government met their demands (March 2011)
After 31 days of hunger strikes across the country, an agreement was reached between the students and the Government. Students assure that all the five requests they made from the very beginning transport, dining halls, scholarships, payment of workers' debts, and wage increase for university employees and professors were met. (Read more) With this 52 hunger strikes have been reported in Venezuela since January 2011, and 433 manifestations just in the month of March. (Read more in Spanish)
New Laws in Venezuela Aim to Limit Dissent (December 2010)
The National Assembly has approved a sweeping set of laws that impose penalties for spreading political dissent on the Internet, grant decree powers to President Hugo Chávez for 18 months and prevent legislators from breaking with his political movement. (Read more)
Venezuelan NGOs fear restrictions on foreign funds (November 2010)
Venezuela's human rights groups are raising concerns over pending legislation backed by President Hugo Chavez that would bar non-governmental organizations from receiving foreign funding. Activists fear the bill being drafted in the predominantly pro-Chavez National Assembly will ban international funds completely, making them fully dependent on limited domestic donations and putting some at risk of disappearing.
In Venezuela, Accusations Against Ronald McDonald House, Among Other U.S. Charities (August 2010)
Ruling-party candidates in next month's legislative elections in Venezuela claim the U.S. government is illegally funding Ronald McDonald House and other charities in Venezuela as part of a "dirty campaign" to remove President Hugo Chavez from office. The candidates from Chávez's Socialist Party of Venezuela, or PSUV, filed an official complaint earlier this week with the attorney general's office, asking that an investigation be opened into how the non-governmental organizations are being supported and the nature of their activities. (Read more)
Venezuela's proposed legislation for "international cooperation" is getting a second breath (August 2010)
Government supporters introduced a request to the General Prosecutor to investigate two well recognized NGOs (Espacio Público e Instituto Prensa y Sociedad) for receiving international cooperation from USID,FUPAD and Freedom House.
NGO warns that Law on Social Controllership restricts information (July 2010)
The NGO Control Ciudadano (Citizens's Monitoring) warned that the draft Organic Law on Social Controllership, which was approved in a first session by the National Assembly (AN), is being drafted in order to hinder the work carried out by human rights NGOs in Venezuela. (Read more)
Venezuela Rejects New Agression by Hillary Clinton (July 2010)
Foreign Affairs Minister of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, strongly rejected the position taken by Secretary of State of the United States Hilary Clinton, against the Venezuelan government. The representative of the Venezuelan diplomacy finds “curious” that just as foreign affairs ministers gather in Venezuela for the Summit on Latin America and the Caribbean, negative comments are issued against Venezuela. (Read more in Spanish)
NGOs ask Venezuelan government to ensure free flow of ideas (June 2010)
The Regional Alliance for Freedom of Expression, a regional NGO, asked the Venezuelan government to put an end to the use of any "direct and indirect means that curtail widespread dissemination of opinions and ideas" and to stop actions aimed at "criminalizing political criticism." (Read more)
Venezuela: UN expert calls on the authorities to withdraw arrest warrant against TV channel president (June 2010)
The UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Mr. Frank La Rue, is urging the Venezuelan authorities to withdraw the arrest warrants against Mr. Guillermo Zuloaga, president of the private TV news channel Globovisión, and his son. (Read more)
Chávez furious as OAS rights watchdog accuses him of endangering democracy (February 2010)
President Hugo Chávez vowed to withdraw Venezuela from the top human rights body in the western hemisphere last night after it accused him of endangering democracy and intimidating opponents. In a televised press conference, the socialist leader called the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights a "mafia", and its leader "excrement". "We will leave it," Chávez said. The Commission, a branch of the Organisation of American States (OAS), published a report on Wednesday which painted an alarming picture of repression and intolerance in Venezuela. The 319-page report used unusually strong language for a 34-nation forum which tends to shy away from criticizing members' internal policies, reflecting growing concern about the South American country. (read more)
IACHR publishes report on Venezuela (February 2010)
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) today published the report entitled Democracy and Human Rights in Venezuela. In the report, the IACHR identifies a series of issues that restrict the full enjoyment of human rights. Among other issues, the IACHR analyzes a series of conditions that indicate the absence of an effective separation and independence of the public branches of power in Venezuela. The report finds that not all individuals are ensured full enjoyment of their rights irrespective of their positions on government policies. The Commission also finds that the punitive power of the State is being used to intimidate or punish people on account of their political opinions. The Commission believes that conditions do not exist for human rights defenders and journalists to be able to freely carry out their work. The IACHR also detects the existence of a pattern of impunity in cases of violence, which particularly affects media workers, human rights defenders, trade unionists, participants in public demonstrations, people held in custody, campesinos (small-scale and subsistence farmers), indigenous people, and women. (read more)
Venezuela sees clashes as anti-Chavez TV station closed (January 2010)
Police and protesters have clashed in several Venezuelan cities after a TV channel opposed to President Hugo Chavez was taken off air. One student was reported killed and several officers injured in the city of Merida amid fighting between pro- and anti-Chavez groups. In the capital Caracas, police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who were trying to march on the headquarters of the state-run telecommunications agency. "One, two, three, Chavez you're struck out," demonstrators chanted...to refer to a range of problems, including rising crime, the devaluation of the currency and electricity shortages. (read more)
Vice President, government officials resign (January 2010)
Amidst the recent violence and clashes over the Chavez government's closing of 6 popular cable channels, including RCTV, Vice President Ramon Carrizalez resigned. Mr. Carrizalez, who also held the defence minister's post, said that he was stepping down, citing personal reasons. "My resignation is not the result of any discrepancy with government decisions, and any other version about my reasons for resigning is false and malicious," he said. Mr Carrizalez's wife, Environment Minister Yubiri Ortega, has also left her post. Their resignations came as protesters, overwhelmingly students, took to the streets to oppose the decision to take several cable channels off air. (read more)
OAS expresses concern over closings of TV channels in Venezuela (January 2010)
Venezuela President Chavez ordered popular TV station RCTV off the air, after the channel violated regulations requiring broadcasters to televise the socialist leader's long speeches in their entirety. (read more) OAS Secretary General Jose Migual Insulza issued a statement condemning the closure, saying, "I regret the situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela regarding the removal from the airwaves of six cable television channels," and reiterating his support for dialogue and understanding between parties. (read the statement) In addition, the IACHR’s Commissioner for Venezuelan Affairs, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, and Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Catalina Botero, expressed their emphatic rejection of the closing of cable television channels in Venezuela and requested that the guarantees of freedom of expression and due process be reestablished. (read the statement)
Democracy Digest
The agony of Venezuela’s democracy (March 2011)
While the rest of Latin America enjoys economic growth and healthy democratic development, Venezuela is one of the few exceptions. With Hugo Chávez striving to stifle opposition and consolidate authoritarian rule, it is time for friends of Venezuelan democracy to fight back, writes Daniel H. Levine. We are witnessing the agony of democracy in Venezuela. The regime of Hugo Chávez Frías has been chipping away at the foundations of the country’s democracy for years, but that slow erosion became an avalanche towards the end of 2010. (Read more)
Human Rights Watch
Legislative Assault on Free Speech, Civil Society (December 2010)
Three laws just approved by the Venezuelan legislature pose serious threats to free speech and the work of civil society, Human Rights Watch said today. Changes to the laws governing broadcast media were approved on December 20, 2010, by the National Assembly, in which allies of President Hugo Chávez have an absolute majority. The changes introduce sweeping restrictions on internet traffic, reinforce existing restrictions on radio and television content, and allow the government to terminate broadcasting licenses on arbitrary grounds. A law approved on December 22 would prohibit human rights groups from receiving foreign funding or fostering public dialogue in Venezuela with international advocacy groups. (Read more)
The foregoing information was collected by the ICNL NGO Law Monitor partner organization in Venezuela, Marcos Carrillo and Paz Activa.