translated from Spanish: Government questioned Venezuela’s nomination to the UN Human Rights Council

Chancellor Teodoro Ribera on Wednesday criticized Venezuela’s nomination of the UN Human Rights Council. For the minister explained that “tomorrow 17 October the UN General Assembly has to elect 14 new members of the Human Rights Council and this Council is made up of 47 countries and these members are elected for three years, they will begin their post from 2 020. It is up to Latin America and the Caribbean to elect two members and we would like to draw attention to the public office of the United Nations Human Rights Council being nothing less than Venezuela.” We consider it a disgrace that Venezuela is in charge of this nature, being that it is a country that has been publicly sanctioned for human rights violations. And the report issued by Commissioner Bachelet has found that there have been 7,000 extrajudicial executions and there are more than 400 political prisoners in prisons,” said Ribera.”In addition, the chancellor stated that “It would be a smear for the UN and the world Venezuela could be part of the Human Rights Council and would also be a mockery for the millions of Venezuelans who are suffering in Venezuela today, or who have had to take the decision to leave that country.” We have mobilized the Chilean Chancellery to make other countries aware of what is at stake and that, in one way or another, we prevent Venezuela from gaining access to this position,” he added. Chile hopes that Costa Rica and Brazil will be elected to join the body.” Our embassies around the world have contacted other chancelleries to make this a table and we hope that our efforts will more bring good results,” Ribera concluded.

Original source in Spanish