UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with members of the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela. Delivered at the 61st Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Thank you, Mr. Vice-President,
We are grateful for the Fact-Finding Mission’s update and reiterate our support for their valuable work during this important time in Venezuela.
The current Venezuelan leadership has spoken of this being a moment for national reconciliation and tolerance. We call on all parties to support this aspiration and for the authorities to continue to build on recent actions to improve the lives and human rights of all Venezuelans.
In this context, we welcome the release of hundreds of political prisoners, the swift implementation of a new Amnesty Law, and wider positive reforms underway. We reiterate our call for the immediate release of the hundreds of remaining political prisoners and an end to arbitrary detentions.
We also welcome the steps taken towards rebuilding civic space, to enable Venezuela to achieve an inclusive political transition. This must include, and protect, the diverse voices across the political spectrum. We therefore encourage the authorities to further progress reforms which will protect against the criminalisation of political dissent and work towards a revived civil society.
Esteemed Members of the Mission,
What more can be done to ensure a comprehensive political transition that reflects the will of all Venezuelans?