The constitutional lawyer and former constituent, Hermann Escarrá, rejected outright the statements of the Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz, who said last week that she would prosecute for civil rebellion anyone seeking to destabilize government institutions, which applies to those who have taken to the streets recently to protest against the government. In this regard, he listed a series of legal arguments to contradict Ortega Díaz, whom he said is "confused". First, he argued that the fundamental right to protest is enshrined in the constitution and international covenants, and is above any alleged act of rebellion. "This confusion is made in response to a higher constitutional standard hierarchy, which is the right of peaceful assembly and protest. Not does it appear in the current constitution, but also in the earlier version of 1961, and in Articles 21 of the Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 6 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights Pact of San José," he said.
Gonzalo Himiob, an attorney who is a member of the Venezuelan Penal Forum, told National Circuit at Belfort that repression and political persecution are the direct responsibility of President Chávez and any agencies that have been responsible for persecuting political dissent during his regime. He argued that the Attorney General of the Republic, Luisa Ortega Díaz, wields power in a partisan manner. On behalf of the Venezuelan Penal Forum and the Organization, Vive, Himiob asked the prosecutor to resignation the office and invited her to review Article 285 of the constitution to remember what her duties are. He blamed President Chávez and all government institutions for "the continuous violation of human rights of prisoners and political refugees. He also denounced the closure of 34 radio stations run by the national government a month ago. He appealed to President Chávez to return the 34 radio stations for the Venezuelan people. "Mr. President, give the freedom to choose back to the people choice".
The Democratic Unity Committee said yesterday that there are more than 40 political prisoners and a hundred charges against people opposing authorities. "For several years the government has pushed dozens of Venezuelans into exile." Against a backdrop of photos of the politically persecuted, opposition spokesmen held a press conference at La Piragua in Las Mercedes to denounce the "outrages" committed by the national government and state institutions against public dissidence in the streets. Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma also reported that 500 citizens were arrested in demonstrations, of whom 265 were injured by the abuse of force. "Similarly, 200 farm leaders have been murdered, 150 workers have pending cases for demanding their claims, 120 college students are criminally investigated for criticizing the closure of RCTV and 1,507 small producers are on probation for demanding their rights, as well as thousands of requests for political asylum."
According to the International Association of Radio Broadcasting (AIR), the government of Hugo Chávez is the most notorious case of political persecution to silence opposition media as identified in the context of practices of Latin American governments. The AIR denounced on Tuesday several Latin American leaders who suppress freedom of speech and press through legal measures that have led to physical attacks on the media. "It is a textbook model that has been applied rigorously in the continent," said the Chilean Luis Pardo, owner head of AIR, after meeting with Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo in Asunción. Pardo arrived in Paraguay with the vice-president of AIR, the Uruguayan Omar Sosa, as part of a tour of several South American countries whose purpose is to warn about that trend of restricting freedom of speech and press, he explained. He cited Venezuela as the most notorious case of political persecution to silence opposition media as identified by the government of President Chávez. He denounced the "check" established by the Venezuelan government against 240 radio stations, 34 of which have already been closed, in addition to harassment of the Globovisión television channel.
Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) will import at least six shipments of fuel to meet domestic market demands after the simultaneous seizure of the gas generating units in three of its refineries. Between 2008 and 2009 the local refining system has had constant stoppages, some scheduled, some unforeseen, which has reduced crude oil processing and has impacted the exports to the U.S. "I estimate that these stops involve the importation of some six loads, including gasoline, parts, alkylate, and (the additive to improve combustion)," one trader said. The catalytic cracker (FCC) of the refinery Amuay has been paralyzed intermittently this month, said operators and sources from the plant, although PDVSA would not confirm the information. Meanwhile, the neighboring Cardon refinery underwent a maintenance scheduled in 2008. PDVSA declined to comment on the date on which it would be reactivated. The FCC of El Palito is still under detainment, so maintenance work has also been delayed, according to union leaders.
Leave a comment