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Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Machado’s values represent best hopes of Venezuelans, says UN rights office
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, on Friday welcomed the Nobel Peace Prize committee’s decision to name Maria Machado as this year’s laureate, in recognition of her work promoting the Venezuelan people’s democratic hopes.
“We congratulate Maria Corina Machado on being announced as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize,” said OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan. “This recognition reflects the clear aspirations of the people of Venezuela for free and fair elections, for civil and political rights and for the rule of law. The High Commissioner has consistently spoken out in support of these values.”
The 58-year-old activist who was barred from running in last year’s presidential elections, lives in hiding inside Venezuela and was briefly detained after attending an opposition rally in January. She was rapidly released reportedly following international pressure.
Ms. Machado thanked the Nobel committee for the honour saying it was the “achievement of a whole society…I am just one person. I certainly do not deserve this”.
Strong evidence of serious restrictions on civic freedoms in Venezuela have been documented in numerous reports mandated by the Human Rights Council. Earlier this year, independent human rights investigators reporting to the Council in Geneva urged the authorities to stop the reported practice of holding political opponents incommunicado.
They insisted that these “targeted detentions” were illegal and amounted to enforced disappearance, a major human rights violation if proved and potentially an international crime.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has also consistently expressed concerns about alleged abuses in the Latin American nation.
In December 2024, Mr. Türk highlighted the “disproportionate use of force and violence” during post-electoral protests earlier in the year, “including by armed individuals supporting the government” that resulted in at least 28 deaths.
In July, the Venezuela National Assembly declared Mr. Türk and OHCHR staff persona non grata, effectively barring UN human rights work there.
Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Mr. Al-Kheetan stressed that OHCHR sought to engage with the Government of Venezuela and all other stakeholders. “We remain firmly committed to continue working to defend and protect the human rights of all Venezuelans, whether they are in Venezuela or abroad, and based of course on information and with the victims at the centre of our work,” he said.
“The bottom line here is that we need more engagement with the authorities; as you know, that the National Assembly of Venezuela voted in favour of declaring the High Commissioner persona non grata and this is something that we have regretted.”
ends
STORY: Nobel Peace Prize reaction – OHCHR
TRT: 1’38”
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 10 OCTOBER 2025 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
Speakers:
- OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan
SHOTLIST
- Exterior wide shot: Palais des Nations, flag alley.
- Wide, podium speaker, UN Geneva Press room.
- SOUNDBITE (English) – OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan: “We congratulate Maria Corina Machado on being announced as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. This recognition reflects the clear aspirations of the people of Venezuela for free and fair elections, for civil and political rights and for the rule of law. The High Commissioner has consistently spoken out in support of these values.”
- Medium-wide, podium speaker, remote speaker on TV screen, journalists.
- SOUNDBITE (English) – OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan: “We reiterate this willingness of our Office to engage in good faith with the Government of Venezuela and all the stakeholders based on mutual respect and we remain firmly committed to continue working to defend and protect the human rights of all Venezuelans, whether they are in Venezuela or abroad, and based of course on information and with the victims at the centre of our work.”
- Medium, journalist.
- SOUNDBITE (English) – OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan: “The bottom line here is that we need more engagement with the authorities; as you know, that the National Assembly of Venezuela voted in favour of declaring the High Commissioner persona non grata and this is something that we have regretted.”
- Wide, podium speaker, remote speaker on TV screen.
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