UN mission urges Venezuela to reverse ICC withdrawal

The United Nations' Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela has voiced strong disapproval of the Venezuelan government's decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

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the determination raises serious doubts about the Government's commitment to accountability and only serves to reinforce impunity in the face of human rights violations.

The mission stated that this move "raises serious doubts about the Government's commitment to accountability" and suggested it would only "reinforce impunity" for human rights violations. This development comes at a critical time for Venezuela, as the mission stressed the urgent need to guarantee the Venezuelan population's right to justice, truth, and proper clarification of past events.

According to the mission, the Venezuelan administration has not yet taken significant steps to investigate the extensive, documented international crimes and violations that have occurred over the past decade. The government's withdrawal from the ICC is seen as an attempt to evade international mechanisms designed to promote accountability.

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it is urgent to guarantee the Venezuelan population's right to justice, truth, and the adequate clarification of past events.

Consequently, the mission implored the Venezuelan government to reverse its decision to leave the ICC. It also called for full cooperation with all international justice mechanisms and human rights bodies, including the Court itself. The authorities, the mission emphasized, must commit to investigating and prosecuting those allegedly responsible for crimes against humanity and severe human rights violations through national processes that adhere to international standards.

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the mission urged the Government of Venezuela to revoke its decision to withdraw from the ICC, as well as to collaborate and cooperate fully with all international justice mechanisms and human rights bodies, including the Court itself.