VENEZUELA: DEFENDERS UNDER ATTACK

Mr. Nicolás Maduro,

The enforced disappearance of Eduardo Torres, a member of local NGO PROVEA, whose whereabouts have been unknown since May 9, adds urgency to the concerns of the escalating attacks on human rights defenders in Venezuela. On May 13, the Attorney General declared that Torres had been detained “for his involvement in a conspiracy plot”, one of the many fabrications of the Venezuelan government to punish human rights defenders. No information has been given about his whereabouts.

I am also concerned by the threats from the Attorney General against PROVEA’s General Coordinator, Óscar Murillo, after denouncing the enforced disappearance of Eduardo Torres. Regrettably, other human rights defenders remain arbitrarily detained for their work, including Javier Tarazona, detained in July 2021; Rocío San Miguel, detained in February 2024; Carlos Julio Rojas, detained in April 2024; and Kennedy Tejeda, detained in August 2024.

Almost 900 politically motivated arbitrary detainees – including these human rights defenders – are currently being unfairly held in Venezuelan detention centers, most of whom suffer an endless list of other human rights violations. The harassment, threats and detention of human rights defenders and the attacks on civil society more broadly must cease immediately, including by repealing the so-called ‘anti-NGO law’ as well as other abusive and arbitrary legislation.

We call for the immediate disclosure of information on Eduardo Torres’ whereabouts, and the immediate and unconditional release of every victim of arbitrary detention. While in the custody of the state, we demand their rights to life, integrity, access to family members, and to a fair trial are upheld.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]