EFE.— The NGO Alliance for the Freedom of Political Prisoners on Thursday called for administrative measures and institutional coordination among the relevant authorities to address judicial delays in the cases of these detainees during a protest outside the Palace of Justice in Caracas.
The activists, who are relatives of political prisoners, gathered outside the Palace of Justice to deliver a document addressed to John Parody, president of the Judicial Circuit in the Venezuelan capital, requesting measures to expedite court hearings.
“We also request institutional action to address the difficulties preventing the timely processing of release petitions for civilian and military detainees,” Jessica Castro, a relative of Gustavo Hernández, told reporters. Authorities detained Hernández over his alleged involvement in “Operation Gideon,” an attempted military incursion through Venezuela’s coast.
Castro said authorities need to take action to assist political prisoners with “serious illnesses,” chronic conditions, disabilities, or any medical condition that could put their lives at risk.
She added that the Alliance has documented around 60 political prisoners in poor health.
The activist also denounced that authorities have yet to release the beneficiaries of between 36 and 40 release orders that judges signed several weeks ago.
According to the NGO Foro Penal, Venezuela has 322 political prisoners, including 308 men and 14 women. Of those, 182 are civilians, and 140 are military personnel.
