In announcing the decision, Foreign Minister Ivan Gale accused the local office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of committing “colonial and abusive” behavior and stirring up political opposition in the country.
He added: “This decision was taken due to the inappropriate role that this institution has developed, which has led it, instead of appearing as a neutral entity, to become a private law firm for coup plotters and terrorist groups that are constantly conspiring against the country.” Gill said in a statement.
The announcement came after the United Nations Human Rights Office in Venezuela condemned the arrest of Rocio San Miguel, a well-known Venezuelan human rights lawyer and military expert. San Miguel had been missing since Friday morning, when she was detained at an airport outside Caracas, according to her lawyer.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced on Tuesday that San Miguel is being held at El Heliquid, a notorious prison where human rights violations, including torture, have been documented. Her lawyers said Wednesday that they were unable to verify her whereabouts. Saab accused San Miguel of participating in an attempted conspiracy against Maduro and other senior officials.
San Miguel heads Control Ciudadano, a non-profit organization that has investigated and detailed extrajudicial killings by Venezuelan security forces, as well as the military's alleged involvement in illegal mining. Her arrest sparked strong criticism from the international community, including the United States.
A US State Department spokesperson said: “We are deeply concerned by the arrest of Rocio San Miguel and call for the immediate release of all individuals unjustly detained in Venezuela.” “Such attacks on civil society close the space for much-needed dialogue.”
The statement described her as a “steadfast voice for democracy and dialogue” for more than 20 years, and said her arrest and others raise questions about Maduro's willingness to fulfill commitments he made in October to pursue democratic reforms “and create a culture of tolerance and political dialogue.” coexistence.”
The Geneva-based UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Tuesday called for San Miguel's immediate release, saying it was following her detention with “deep concern.”
On Thursday, shortly before the Foreign Minister's announcement, the UN Human Rights Office indicated that San Miguel's whereabouts had been confirmed, and her four relatives had been conditionally released. “Due process guarantees must be respected, including the right to defense,” the office said on Twitter.
Since 2019, the UN Human Rights Office in Venezuela has monitored the human rights situation in the country and provided support to civil society.
