DETAINED FOR DEFENDING WOMEN AND GIRLS’ RIGHTS

Vannesa Rosales is a teacher and women and girls’ rights defender in the state of Mérida (West). On October 12, 2020, officers from the Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigations Unit (CICPC) broke into her home without a search warrant and detained her, violating due process guarantees. She is now accused of assisting a 13-year-old girl, whose life was in danger, for the interruption of her pregnancy resulting from rape. Vannesa has been under house arrest since January 11, 2021 and her pre-trial hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2021. The Attorney General should drop the charges against Vannesa and release her.

TAKE ACTION:

1. Please take action as-soon-as possible. This Urgent Action expires on September 7, 2021.
2. Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
3. Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 80.21. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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SAMPLE LETTER Dear Tarek William Saab, I am alarmed by the arbitrary detention and criminalization of Vannesa Rosales, a teacher, social worker and women and girls’ rights defender in Venezuela. On October 12, 2020, she was arbitrarily detained after an illegal inspection of her home by CICPC officials. Vannesa is being accused of inducing abortion to third parties, criminal association and conspiracy for providing information and supporting the interruption of the pregnancy of a 13-year-old at her mother’s request. The girl’s life was in danger by the pregnancy, and she had been a victim of sexual abuse in Pueblo Nuevo, Mérida. Since a precautionary measure was issued on January 11, 2021, Vannesa has been deprived of her liberty under house arrest and the preliminary hearing has not yet been held. Vannesa must not face a criminal trial, and she must be released as soon as possible. Therefore, I demand that all charges against Vanessa are dropped, and if the case remains -unfairly- open, at least, she should face her trial free, as established by international law and standards on pre-trial detention. I also demand that in the meantime, her physical and psychological integrity is guaranteed. Those who peacefully defend human rights in Venezuela should not be criminalized. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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