Amnesty International reported Thursday that Venezuelan authorities have systematically tortured and arbitrarily detained dozens of children in protests following the country’s disputed July presidential election.
Amnesty International’s investigation found that nearly 200 children have suffered serious mental and physical harm due to abuses committed by Venezuelan authorities. Dozens remain in inhumane detention conditions, while others who have been conditionally released face continued trauma, unfounded criminal prosecutions, and other consequences. The organization documented six cases of arbitrary detentions, torture, and violations of fair trial rights against minors during the immediate post-election crackdown between July 29 and 31.
Amnesty International secretary general Agnès Callamard stated: “Detaining, torturing, prosecuting, and punishing children crosses a line no state should ever cross… We demand the immediate and unconditional release and redress for all children currently suffering the endless cruelty of the Venezuelan authorities.”
The alleged abuses occurred amid escalating tensions following Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election. According to a UN Panel of Experts’ interim report released on August 9, election day saw increased voter participation at nearly 60 percent. The panel also found, however, that the process was compromised when the National Electoral Council (CNE) abruptly halted the electronic transmission of results, citing a cyber-attack. The CNE later proclaimed incumbent Nicolás Maduro the winner, finding he earned 51.95 percent of votes against opposition candidate Edmundo González’s 43.18 percent. The CNE failed to publish detailed results or polling station data as legally required. The UN panel noted that this lack of transparency “has no precedent in contemporary democratic elections” and severely damaged public confidence in the outcome.
According to Amnesty International, the alleged abuse of children’s rights in Venezuela should be considered by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its ongoing investigation into potential crimes against humanity. On June 27, 2023, ICC judges announced that the investigation, which began in November 2021, could go ahead. The ICC prosecutor had petitioned to continue the investigation after the Venezuelan government requested in April 2022 for the ICC to defer to the government’s own inquiries, which had automatically put the ICC investigation on hold.
These latest allegations of abuse occur against the backdrop of Venezuela’s deepening humanitarian crisis. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Venezuelans continue to face severe repression and a humanitarian emergency. HRW said that more than 7.7 million people have fled the country, creating one of the largest migration crises in the world.
