translated from Spanish: Michelle Bachelet for visit to Venezuela: “It was painful to listen to the victims”

The UN high commissioner for DDs. HH, Michelle Bachelet, ended her visit to Venezuela on Friday, where she held a series of meetings with different authorities, agencies and part of the community. It was through a statement, where the former Mandataria addressed the topics addressed and the people she had conversations with. In this regard, he stated that two rapporteurs of the agency would stay permanently in the country. It also stated that an agreement was reached with the Government to visit the prisons. “I met victims of human rights violations and their families. I heard the testimony of a man who explained to me how his father was tortured and humiliated and killed by hooded officers who raided his house,” he said. “A father proudly showed me the trophies and medals his son had won playing basketball, before being killed in a protest he was participating in in 2017,” he continued. In this regard, he stated that he heard “the testimonies of relatives of detainees who would have suffered torture.” Although, he also referred to “victims of violence against government supporters. I learned the testimony of a young man who was burned alive during the 2017 protests and who spent 15 days dying in the hospital before he died.” In this way, he indicated that he mentioned only some of the testimonies he received, where he insisted that “Everyone demands justice” and that they are “heartbreaking” stories. “It was painful to listen to the victims,” he said. In doing so, he reiterated his commitment to “continue to convey these demands and advocate for justice and reparation for them, whoever the perpetrators are. (…) The fight of all these victims for justice is important,” he said. CRISISOn the other hand, the former Mandataria also addressed the social problems that are being experienced today, the product of the lack of various resources. “The cost and lack of contraceptives in pharmacies has contributed to the increase in adolescent pregnancy. Health workers have described me as medical equipment is scarce or not in work,” he added. In doing so, he expressed concern about oil sanctions.

Original source in Spanish