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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk remarks to the Human Rights Council on Venezuela
« Permítanme comenzar expresando mis más sinceras condolencias a quienes han perdido a familiares y seres queridos en los terremotos ocurridos el miércoles. Mis pensamientos están con las personas que resultaron heridas y con sus familias, que hoy enfrentan dolor, incertidumbre y un camino difícil por delante. Nuestra solidaridad con el pueblo de Venezuela en este difícil momento. » (Let me start by expressing my deepest condolences to those who lost family members and friends in the earthquakes that struck on Wednesday. My thoughts are with those who were injured, as well as with their families, as they face pain, uncertainty, and the long road ahead. We stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela at this difficult time,”) Türk said.
“Since 1 May 2025, my Office has confirmed the release of more than 1,200 people, although many still have conditions attached to their freedom. Most of them were detained in the post-election period of July 2024,” the High Commissioner said.
“My report notes some 40 cases of arbitrary detention during 2025, including opposition politicians, human rights defenders, journalists, union members and humanitarians.”
“Access to justice and accountability remained constrained. The conviction of eight police officers on charges related to killings during security operations is an important step. However, no progress was reported on investigating deaths during protests in 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2024. Nor have the authorities opened investigations into alleged human rights violations by the armed forces during operation Zaraza in 2024, including the killing of 30 people,” Türk said.
The UN Human Rights Office continues to receive reports of denial of due process, including through lack of access to lawyers and files. The economic situation continued to worsen during the reporting period, and cuts to humanitarian funding took a serious toll.
“The cost of the family food basket increased by more than 700 percent in bolivars between March 2025 and 2026. More than five million Venezuelans need urgent food assistance. Salaries remain low, while inflation is high and volatile. The new standard urban transport fare of 140 bolivars exceeds the monthly salary of public sector workers,” he said.
Most Venezuelans have very limited access to healthcare. While the United States of America has recently granted import licenses in certain economic sectors, sanctions continue to restrict the availability of medical supplies.
“This year has seen a number of positive steps. According to Government figures, more than 8,000 people have benefited from the Amnesty Law adopted in February 2026, including 314 who were released from detention. However, implementation of the law needs to be fully compliant with international human rights law,” Türk said.
“Official announcements about reforms to the Venezuelan justice system are welcome. These reforms, if implemented, are a crucial opportunity to bring institutions and practices into line with international standards,” he said.
“The closure of the Helicoide prison sends an important message. However, the transfer of its inmates to facilities with even poorer conditions, in some cases without notifying their relatives or legal representatives, is a serious concern,” Türk said.
“I have shared a set of Confidence-Building measures, centred on human rights, with the Venezuelan authorities. Broader progress will require structural changes to address grievances and meet people’s basic needs,” Türk said
“It will be essential to establish the truth, find appropriate remedies for those who have suffered, guarantee that there is no repetition of serious human rights violations, and create conditions for reconciliation,” Türk said
“Regular and unhindered access to all places of detention by independent and impartial entities is a priority. My Office stands ready to provide technical support on improving conditions,” Türk said
“Human rights and transparency must be at the heart of Venezuela’s economic recovery. People must be at the centre of financial decisions, and revenues, including those from the oil, gas and critical mineral sectors, must benefit all Venezuelans,” Türk said
“I call on the Venezuelan authorities to cooperate with international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including the Fact-Finding Mission established by the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court,” Türk said
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STORY: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk remarks to the Human Rights Council on Venezuela
TRT: 05:36
SOURCE: OHCHR / UNOG
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: English/Spanish/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 26 June 2026 – Geneva, Switzerland
SHOTLIST
- Exterior shot: Palais des Nations
- Wide shot : Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (Spanish) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Permítanme comenzar expresando mis más sinceras condolencias a quienes han perdido a familiares y seres queridos en los terremotos ocurridos el miércoles. Mis pensamientos están con las personas que resultaron heridas y con sus familias, que hoy enfrentan dolor, incertidumbre y un camino difícil por delante. Nuestra solidaridad con el pueblo de Venezuela en este difícil momento. » (Let me start by expressing my deepest condolences to those who lost family members and friends in the earthquakes that struck on Wednesday. My thoughts are with those who were injured, as well as with their families, as they face pain, uncertainty, and the long road ahead. We stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela at this difficult time.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Since 1 May 2025, my Office has confirmed the release of more than 1,200 people, although many still have conditions attached to their freedom. Most of them were detained in the post-election period of July 2024.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “My report notes some 40 cases of arbitrary detention during 2025, including opposition politicians, human rights defenders, journalists, union members and humanitarians.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Access to justice and accountability remained constrained. The conviction of eight police officers on charges related to killings during security operations is an important step. However, no progress was reported on investigating deaths during protests in 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2024. Nor have the authorities opened investigations into alleged human rights violations by the armed forces during operation Zaraza in 2024, including the killing of 30 people.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “The cost of the family food basket increased by more than 700 per cent in bolivars between March 2025 and 2026. More than five million Venezuelans need urgent food assistance. Salaries remain low, while inflation is high and volatile. The new standard urban transport fare of 140 bolivars exceeds the monthly salary of public sector workers.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “This year has seen a number of positive steps. According to Government figures, more than 8,000 people have benefited from the Amnesty Law adopted in February 2026, including 314 who were released from detention. However, implementation of the law needs to be fully compliant with international human rights law.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Official announcements about reforms to the Venezuelan justice system are welcome. These reforms, if implemented, are a crucial opportunity to bring institutions and practices into line with international standards.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “The closure of the Helicoide prison sends an important message. However, the transfer of its inmates to facilities with even poorer conditions, in some cases without notifying their relatives or legal representatives, is a serious concern.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “I have shared a set of Confidence-Building measures, centred on human rights, with the Venezuelan authorities. Broader progress will require structural changes to address grievances and meet people’s basic needs.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “It will be essential to establish the truth, find appropriate remedies for those who have suffered, guarantee that there is no repetition of serious human rights violations, and create conditions for reconciliation.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Regular and unhindered access to all places of detention by independent and impartial entities is a priority. My Office stands ready to provide technical support on improving conditions.”
- Cutaways: Hall A
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Human rights and transparency must be at the heart of Venezuela’s economic recovery. People must be at the centre of financial decisions, and revenues, including those from the oil, gas and critical mineral sectors, must benefit all Venezuelans.”
- SOUNDBITE (English) — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “I call on the Venezuelan authorities to cooperate with international human rights and accountability mechanisms, including the Fact-Finding Mission established by the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court.”
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