The Daily Journal — The United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela expressed concern on Monday over the Venezuelan government’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), warning that the move could have serious consequences for human rights in the country.
In a statement, the UN mission said that “this decision raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to accountability and only serves to reinforce impunity for human rights violations.”
The mission also stressed the significance of the timing, noting that the decision “comes at a critical moment for the country, when there is an urgent need to guarantee the right of Venezuelans to justice, truth, and a proper clarification of past events.”
The statement also criticized the Venezuelan state’s lack of progress in pursuing domestic justice.
“To date, the current administration has not adopted any significant measures to advance investigations into the serious human rights violations and international crimes that have been widely documented over more than a decade,” the mission said.
According to the investigative body, “the government seeks to evade the international mechanisms designed precisely to promote accountability at the national level.”
Against that backdrop, the UN mission issued a direct appeal to the Venezuelan authorities.
“The Mission urges the Government of Venezuela to reverse its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court and to collaborate and cooperate fully with all international justice mechanisms and human rights bodies, including the Court itself,” the statement said.
Finally, the mission emphasized that the state’s responsibility extends beyond the international arena.
“The authorities must also commit to investigating and prosecuting those allegedly responsible for crimes against humanity and serious human rights violations through national proceedings that comply with international standards,” the mission stated.
