[JURIST] The UN Special Rapporteur on the right of freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye and the Inter-American (IACHR) [official website] Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression Edison Lanza expressed concern [UN news release] on Thursday over the deterioration of media freedom in Venezuela. Saying they were “deeply disturbed by the recent reports of attacks against journalists and independent media groups,” Kaye and Lanza stressed the need for these individuals’ protection, as any such attack or threat violate not only the right of those harmed, but “the ability of Venezuelans and others elsewhere to be informed on events of critical importance.” Among the numerous instances media suppression, the two noted the arrest of 7 journalists and media workers, along with seizure of their work equipment. Kaye emphasized that law enforcement should provide safety to these individuals and not harassment. The two also noted a variety of other issues affecting freedom of expression and access to media within the country. Lanza expressed concern at a recent Supreme Court of Venezuela ruling, ordering two news websites from posting videos of lynching on its webpage or through social media, stating “the right to freedom of expression cannot be subject to prior censorship.” Issue was also taken with papers shortages which harm newspapers’ ability to print copies of their editions, closures of radio stations, and failure of appropriate agencies to address requests for license renewal. Kaye and Lanza issued a joint letter to the Venezuelan Government, the reception of which was confirmed by the state, in hopes of voicing international concern and creating an open dialogue into media suppression.

Venezuela has routinely been called out for their human rights abuses. Amnesty International reported in March 2015 that Venezuela effectively allows more violence [JURIST report] and abuses through its failure to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of the injuries and tortures during 2014 protests. Between February 2015 and July 2014, demonstrators gathered to protest government authority [BBC report], resulting in conflict with police and the deaths of 43 people and the injury of 878. In response to the conflict, rights groups criticized Venezuelan security forces of abusing and unlawfully detaining protesters, and called for an end to violence [JURIST reports] in the country. Such violent demonstrations were partially motivated by Venezuela’s current economic difficulties [BBC backgrounder] and disdain towards current President Nicolas Maduro. In 2013 Venezuela withdrew from the IACHR despite criticism from activists and calls by the UN [JURIST reports] for the country to remain a member.