Clippve demands an end to arbitrary transfers and the release of political prisoners

Families of political prisoners and civil society organizations gathered at the Central University of Venezuela on Thursday, September 3, demanding an end to arbitrary transfers and the full, immediate release of people detained for political reasons.

The protest followed transfers from El Rodeo I prison in Miranda state on September 2. The movements left relatives uncertain about where detainees had been taken and the conditions in which they were being held.

The Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners, known as Clippve, joined the protest. At a news conference, human rights defender Sairam Rivas criticized the lack of official information about the transfers. “Families wait on social media, they find out when they see buses leaving,” she said, describing the practice as cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees’ relatives.

Foro Penal said it had received reports that at least 94 political prisoners were moved from El Rodeo I to other prisons. The organization had confirmed the destination of 24 of them. Rivas said more than 400 political prisoners remain in Venezuela, while civil society groups continue checking new cases.

She also said recently released prisoners still face restrictions, including house arrest, limits on movement and regular court appearances. Some must travel to Caracas every month to comply with those measures, while others face judicial restrictions that may make it difficult to obtain a passport. Clippve requested a meeting with Jorge Rodríguez and Dinorah Figuera, who lead the government and opposition delegations, before the second round of talks expected in the middle of the month. The committee wants relatives and victims of arbitrary political detentions to present their information and proposals directly.

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Families wait on social media, they find out when they see buses leaving.