25.7 C
Caracas
Wednesday, 9 October, 2024

Attacks against human-rights activists in Venezuela increased

NGO Cofavic reported that such attacks surpassed 2019 figures: there have been 100 aggressions in the first six months of 2020, compared to 84 incidents in the entire previous year.

-

Attacks against human rights activists in Venezuela increased, with 100 incidents recorded in the first six months of 2020, compared to 84 such aggressions for all of 2019.

That is are the results of an independent study by the Committee of Relatives for the Victims (Cofavic in Spanish), an NGO devoted to the defense of human rights, revealed that the number of attacks against activists during the first half of 2020 already exceeds the figures recorded in 2019. Most of the attacks took place after the Coronavirus outbreak in mid-March.

You must read Mothers and doctors demands for Human-Rights Commission entering into Venezuela

The capital city Caracas, one of the most violent cities on the planet, is the place with the highest number of attacks, 68 so far this year, followed by Lara state with 5, Merida with 3, as well as Cojedes and Tachira, with two each. The groups most affected were activists affiliated with NGOs, with 71 attacks recorded. Male activists have a 20% more chance of being attacked than female activists, according to the report.

Until June, the NGO counted 100 aggressions among arbitrary detentions, harassment, threats, intimidations, and stigmatizations, in contrast to the 84 cases registered in all of 2019.

The report noted that 40 of these attacks occurred in May alone after the Maduro regime announced a failed attempt at deposing it. The organization highlights that the actions of the authorities in their campaign called Bolivarian Fury and the decree of a national alarm for the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a series of power abuses.

- Advertisement -

Those situation has been used to attack, not only human rights defenders but also journalists and health personnel who try to denounce the precariousness of the Venezuelan health system.

Thousands of Venezuelans in the most disconnected areas of our country visit El Pitazo daily to get indispensable information in their daily lives. For many of them we are the only source of verified news free of political bias.

Sustaining the operation of this independent media is becoming increasingly expensive and difficult. That is why we created a membership program: We do not charge for reporting, but we bet that readers see the value of our work and help us with an economic contribution that is increasingly necessary.

Become part of the Superaliados community or make a one-time contribution.

Ensure the existence of El Pitazo with a monetary contribution that fits your possibilities.

HAZTE SUPERALIADO/A

It is completely safe and only takes 1 minute.

THE MOST SEEN

Murders and threats increase tension between Peruvians and Venezuelans

Tensions have increased between Venezuelans and Peruvians after two high-profile murders and public death threats. Additionally, there have been protests against the...
Tu indignación es necesaria
Hazte Aliado