Venezuelan rights groups urge U.S. Congress to back democratic transition

Human rights organizations pressed U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday to prioritize a democratic transition in Venezuela, citing the nation's deepening humanitarian, institutional, and political crisis. Speaking before a bipartisan audience at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the House of Representatives, representatives from Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón, the Center for Justice and Peace, the Washington Office on Latin America, and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights emphasized that any transition must protect victims, rebuild the rule of law, involve civil society, and guarantee justice.

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It has been a relief.

These groups presented a series of measures they deem essential for progress. Key among them are the full release of political prisoners, the repeal of laws restricting civic space, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and opening Venezuela to international human rights mechanisms. Lawyer Martha Tineo, coordinator for Justicia, Encuentro y Perdón, acknowledged that U.S. intervention had facilitated the release of a significant number of political prisoners and the subsequent Amnesty Law. "It has been a relief," she stated.

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The majority of those who have left prison remain on conditional release and are subject to judicial processes that violate due process guarantees.

However, Tineo highlighted persistent challenges, particularly regarding transparency. She noted that authorities have not provided international human rights bodies or defenders with lists of beneficiaries, preventing independent verification of official announcements. Of the 795 individuals released from prison, only a minority gained full freedom through the Amnesty Law. "The majority of those who have left prison remain on conditional release and are subject to judicial processes that violate due process guarantees," Tineo added.

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Venezuela is a country devastated by decades of erosion in its political, economic, and social fabric.

She reported that 518 people are still deprived of liberty for political reasons in Venezuela. Tineo also pointed to an "institutional scaffolding" that blocks international oversight and laws that stifle civic space and stigmatize NGOs. "Venezuela is a country devastated by decades of erosion in its political, economic, and social fabric," she said. "We are aware that a tragedy of this magnitude cannot be overcome in months, nor can it or should it depend exclusively on American policy."

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We are aware that a tragedy of this magnitude cannot be overcome in months, nor can it or should it depend exclusively on American policy.