Amnesty Int.: Venezuela: Lack of justice for protest abuses gives green light to more violence
Venezuela’s failure to effectively investigate and bring to justice those responsible for the deaths of 43 people and the injury and torture of hundreds during protests in 2014, is effectively giving a green light to more abuses and violence, said Amnesty International in a new report today.
The faces of impunity: A year after the protests, victims still await justice examines the stories of those who died or were arbitrarily arrested and tortured in detention during and after the protests that rocked the country between February and July 2014. Amongst the dead and injured were protesters, passers-by and members of the security forces. Some are still behind bars pending trial.
During the protests 3,351 people were detained, scores arbitrarily. Most were released without charges. However, 1,404 individuals are facing charges and 25 are still in detention awaiting trial.
Amnesty International had access to the files of five people being held in detention facing charges and concluded that they were arbitrarily detained. Two have since been released pending trial.
Evidence shows that members of the police allowed pro-government armed groups to abuse protesters and passers-by, and even illegally enter people’s houses, including with fire arms.
Guillermo Sánchez died after he was beaten and shot by a pro-government armed group in La Isabelica (Valencia State) in March 2014. His wife, Ghina Rodríguez, and their two children had to flee the country after they received death threats for demanding justice. They are still waiting for those responsible for Guillermo’s death to be held to account.
https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2015/03/venezuela-lack-of-justice-for-protest-abuses-gives-green-light-to-more-violence/
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