The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported in July that security forces committed 1,569 killings between January and May and an additional 5,287 in 2018, many of which "may constitute extrajudicial killings." The OHCHR called for the disbanding of one of the regime's deadliest security forces, the Special Actions Force (FAES), a specialized unit of the PNB that former President Maduro created in 2017 to quell large-scale protests across the country. A study by the NGO Solidarity Action found that prison rules resulted in the isolation of those with HIV/AIDS in "inadequate quarters without food and medical care". The OVP reported a general lack of medical care, medicine, equipment and doctors for prisoners. The constitution provides for an independent judiciary, but the judiciary of the former Maduro regime was not independent and generally ruled in favor of the previous regime at all levels.
The constitution provides for the inviolability of the home and personal privacy, but the previous regime generally did not respect these prohibitions.
Respect for Civil Liberties, Including
According to the local journalists' union (SNTP), print news outlets have closed due to the former Maduro regime's economic policies, which have made it difficult for. The former Maduro regime controlled much of the country's businesses and paid for advertising only with regime-owned or regime-friendly media. The former Maduro regime exercised control over the press through a public entity, the Strategic Center for Homeland Security and Protection (CESPPA), established in 2013, which is similar to the government entity Center for National Situational Studies (CESNA ) which was founded in 2010. .
The former Maduro regime restricted or disrupted access to the Internet and censored online content. Courts have relied on evidence obtained from anonymous patriotas cooperantes (cooperating patriots) to harass perceived opponents of the former regime and senior former Maduro regime allies. There were no substantiated reports of the former Maduro regime's restrictions on cultural events, but the former regime imposed restrictions on academic freedom.
The former Maduro regime continued to increase its control over local universities, including the admissions process. The former regime continued its practice, announced in 2018, of educational financial incentives for holders of the carnet de la patria (homeland card), a regime-issued social benefits card given primarily to regime supporters (see section 3, Political parties and political participation). The constitution allows for this right, but the former Maduro regime generally suppressed or suspended it.
Ambiguous language in the law also enabled the former regime to criminalize organizations that criticized it. The constitution provides for freedom of association and freedom from political discrimination, but the former Maduro regime did not respect these rights.
Freedom to Participate in the Political Process
Particularly vulnerable groups, such as women with young children, the elderly and the disabled, faced increased personal risks such as arrests and deportations, extortion, etc. while traveling to the commission. Colombians did not access procedures to determine refugee status due to the ineffectiveness of the process. Access to basic services: Colombian asylum seekers without legal residence had limited access to the labor market, education and health systems.
In June, CONARE announced the creation of a new border migration control card for refugees present in the country, similar to the carnet de la patria. Opposition parties supported Guaido throughout the year, and in September they approved him to remain as AN chief in 2020 and as interim president until the previous regime's seizure of power ends. The former Maduro regime regularly targeted AN and other opposition politicians through violence or threats of violence, arbitrary arrest, politically motivated prosecution, privacy violations, and movement restrictions.
Throughout the year, GNB forces denied or restricted NA members' access to the federal legislative palace during regularly scheduled parliamentary sessions. After months of court delays, the former regime released Zambrano on September 18, although his support staff remain imprisoned. According to the former Maduro regime, by September more than 18.5 million of an estimated 28.5 million residents had registered for the card.
Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government
To qualify for the card, applicants must provide proof of political affiliation and answer questions about the Social Security benefits they receive. Maduro opponents argued the card amounted to social control, a tool to gain access to scarce subsidized consumer products in exchange for political loyalty. Participation of women and minorities: There is no law restricting the participation of women or members of minorities in the political process, and they participated.
Financial disclosure: Public employees and all directors and board members of private companies are required by law to submit sworn financial disclosure statements.
Governmental Attitude Regarding International and Nongovernmental Investigation of Alleged Abuses of Human Rights
Violations are subject to fines, possibly a five- to eight-year ban from running for political office, or both. Although there has been no formal application or enforcement of the law, it has created a climate of fear among human rights NGOs and a reluctance to seek international assistance. The law includes provisions that remove the right of human rights NGOs to represent victims of human rights abuses in court proceedings.
The law stipulates that only the public defender and individuals can file complaints in court or represent victims of alleged human rights abuses committed by public officials or members of the security forces. The United Nations or other international bodies: The former Maduro regime was generally hostile to international human rights bodies and continued to refuse permission to visit the IACHR, which last visited the country in 2002. In September, the regime and the OHCHR signed a memorandum of understanding that provides the presence of two UN human rights officials for one year.
On September 27, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution to immediately launch a year-long fact-finding mission to investigate “extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Human rights bodies of the government: The former regime has paid minimal attention to the 2016-2019 human rights plan throughout the year, with no announcements to extend or update the plan. The TSJ continued to hold the AN in "contempt" status, which reduced the scope and operational effectiveness of the assembly's subcommittee on human rights.
Discrimination, Societal Abuses, and Trafficking in Persons Women
The law prohibits the production and sale of child pornography and sets penalties of 16 to 20 years in prison. The law requires all newly constructed or renovated public parks and buildings to provide access, but persons with disabilities had minimal access to public transportation and ramps were almost non-existent. Many individuals with disabilities expressed concern that public transportation workers often did not want to transport them and forced them to seek out taxis, which were often out of their financial reach and often not equipped to support customers.
Separately, leading advocates for persons with hearing disabilities complained about the difficulty of accessing public services due to a lack of regime-funded interpreters in public courts, health care facilities and legal services, as well as a lack of other public accommodations. The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, an independent body affiliated with the Ministry of Participation and Social Development, advocated for the rights of persons with disabilities and provided medical, legal, vocational and cultural programs. According to the commission, fewer than 20 percent of persons with disabilities enrolled in the regime's health programs held full-time jobs.
The law prohibits all forms of racial discrimination and provides for a maximum of three years. The Constitution provides for three seats in the AN for MPs of indigenous origin in order to "protect indigenous communities and their gradual integration into the life of the nation", however. The law guarantees equal rights to people with HIV/AIDS and their families.
Worker Rights
The constitution provides for equality before the law of all persons and prohibits discrimination based on "sex or social circumstances", but does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The local NGO Solidarity Action reported five cases of refusal of work or forced dismissal due to HIV status during the year. the armed forces) have the right to form and join trade unions of their choice, and it provides for collective bargaining and the right to strike. The law requires all unions to provide the Department of Labor with a membership directory containing each union member's full name, home address, telephone number and national identification number.
The law also requires the presence of labor inspectors to see and legitimize trade unions' decisions before the Ministry of Labour. The law recognizes the right of all workers in the public and private sector to strike, subject to conditions determined by law. The ILO called on the government to amend the law to exclude some from the definition of "essential services".
For example, the law prohibits specified acts and punishable by five to 10 years in prison anyone who "organizes, supports or incites the implementation of activities within security zones aimed at disrupting or influencing the organization and functioning of military installations, public services, industries and basic [i.e. mining] businesses or the socio-economic life of the country." The law also provides prison sentences sufficient to deter violations for those who restrict the distribution of goods and for "those ... who develop or perform acts or. The law prohibits certain forms of forced labor or forced labor, but does not provide criminal penalties for certain forms of forced labor The law does not sufficiently prohibit trafficking in boys and requires proof of the use of deception, coercion, force, violence, threats, abduction or otherwise.
