Caracas, capital of Venezuela. UN chief concerned about US military actions in Venezuela International Law
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply concerned about the escalating situation in Venezuela, culminating in today’s military action by the United States in that country. This statement was made on behalf of the Secretary General by his press secretary.
According to media reports, the United States carried out strikes on targets in Venezuela on Saturday. Several explosions occurred in the capital of the country, Caracas. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured by American troops. They will stand trial in New York on charges related to “narco-terrorism.”
“Regardless of the situation in Venezuela, these events set a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full compliance by all parties with international law, including the UN Charter. “He is deeply concerned that international law has not been respected,” said the spokesman for the UN chief. Guterres also called on all parties for dialogue.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, in turn, recalled the need to protect the population of Venezuela.
“The protection of the population of Venezuela is of paramount importance and must determine any further actions,” he emphasized he.
Commenting on today’s events, the President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Burbock, said that during a crisis it is necessary to be guided by the UN Charter. application” against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state.
“A peaceful, secure and just world for all can only be achieved if the rule of law prevails over the principle of “might is right,” she warned. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela expressed serious concern about the human rights situation in the country following the US attacks and the capture of Maduro and emphasized the need to ensure accountability for serious violations and crimes against humanity committed by its government.
“In light of the US military intervention and the detention of Nicolás Maduro for what the US administration claims is “narco-terrorism against the United States and its citizens,” the Fact-Finding Mission underscores the need to not go unaddressed by the serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity that have been committed against the people of Venezuela,” said Marta Valinhas, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission.
These violations, which, according experts said were documented in detail by the mission, include extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, abductions, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, as well as sexual and gender-based violence.
“The long history of serious human rights violations by the Maduro government does not justify US military intervention, which violates international law,” mission expert Alex said Nev.
“Similarly, the illegality of the US attack in no way diminishes the clear responsibility of Venezuelan officials, including Mr. Maduro, for years of repression and violence,” he added.
The fact-finding mission’s experts are concerned about the risk of further serious human rights abuses in Venezuela in the coming days and weeks amid an escalation of the situation, including against the backdrop of the US government’s announcement of its intention to “govern” the country for the foreseeable future and the decision of the Venezuelan authorities to declare a state of emergency.
The mission calls on the authorities of both countries, as well as the international community, to ensure full compliance with international law.