UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk announced Friday that his office will resume operations in Venezuela. Türk’s office was forced to leave the country earlier this year following his statement on the enforced disappearance of human rights defender Rocío San Miguel.
Speaking at a Human Rights Council meeting, Türk stated: “The Office can play an important role between the institutions of the state and the people of the country. We stand ready to support the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela during these difficult times in a spirit of constructive engagement.”
The high commissioner expressed serious concerns about post-election violence in Venezuela, reporting that authorities have confirmed approximately 2,000 detentions since the presidential election in July. Türk highlighted that many of these detainees include teenagers, children, opposition members, human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers. He also urged a prompt investigation into at least 28 killings during post-election protests, which reportedly included demonstrators, bystanders, and members of the armed forces.
Emphasizing the importance of creating proper conditions for civic engagement and political participation, Türk noted that these measures are particularly crucial as Venezuela prepares for parliamentary elections by the end of 2025, when 277 deputies of the National Assembly will be elected.
The office’s resumption of activities comes after its operations were suspended in February 2024, when Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil ordered UN personnel to leave the country. The suspension followed a statement by the high commissioner’s office expressing concern over the arrest of San Miguel, a human rights activist known for her criticism of President Nicolás Maduro, and calling for transparency regarding her detention conditions and legal rights.
The restoration of UN human rights activities coincides with growing international pressure for electoral transparency. The European Union, the US, and several Latin American countries have demanded the publication of election tally sheets and called for independent verification of results. Venezuelan authorities have meanwhile increased restrictions on civic space by passing the Law on Oversight, Regulation, Performance, and Financing of Non-Governmental Organizations on August 15. This legislation granted broad government powers to monitor, regulate, and potentially dissolve NGOs, further shrinking the space for civil society. In this context, at least three organizations have reportedly shut down their operations, citing harassment, monitoring, and punitive actions.
