Ex-Political Prisoners Ask UN to Verify Releases, Visit Jails, and End Exclusion

A network of former political prisoners in Venezuela, known as the Network of Ex-Detainees for Democracy (RED), has formally requested the United Nations to oversee the ongoing release process and implement policies for comprehensive reparations.

During a meeting with representatives from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the group detailed the challenges faced by individuals after their release, as well as the conditions for those still imprisoned. Williams Dávila, a member of RED and a former political detainee, emphasized that the focus should extend beyond mere liberation.

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The right to reparation implies the adoption of legal, economic, psychological, and social measures, which not only refer to economic compensation but also to the integral restoration of dignity and the life projects of the victims.

"The right to reparation implies the adoption of legal, economic, psychological, and social measures, which not only refer to economic compensation but also to the integral restoration of dignity and the life projects of the victims," Dávila stated. He proposed that reparations should include formal recognition of victims, compensation for damages, recovery of assets, psychological and medical care, family reintegration, special pensions, and the expungement of criminal records stemming from processes they claim were marred by due process violations.

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They have had private bank accounts canceled because they are applied the clause of a personality exposed as a political prisoner. This cannot be permitted a violation of human rights, that they cancel your account because you were a political prisoner.

RED also highlighted significant obstacles to labor and economic reintegration. Dávila reported that some former detainees face difficulties resuming financial and professional activities due to their past as political prisoners. "They have had private bank accounts canceled because they are applied the clause of a personality exposed as a political prisoner. This cannot be permitted a violation of human rights, that they cancel your account because you were a political prisoner," he denounced.

To ensure accountability and prevent future abuses, Dávila urged for a formal declaration from the state acknowledging its responsibility. "There must be a formal declaration from the State in which the State itself assumes its responsibility, if we are talking about reintegration, reconciliation, and above all, the guarantee of non-repetition," he asserted. The network specifically requested the UN High Commissioner's office to participate in verifying the recently announced prisoner releases.

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There must be a formal declaration from the State in which the State itself assumes its responsibility, if we are talking about reintegration, reconciliation, and above all, the guarantee of non-repetition.