Florentín Meléndez, president of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), presented the 2006 Annual Report to the 37th General Assembly of the Organization of American States that closed in Panama on June 6, and showed concern about the "absence of concrete measures" by the Venezuelan Government to make possible in loco visits by the Commission with the purpose of fulfilling its duties and mandate.

Meléndez also voiced concern about "lack of citizenship security, the lack of independence of the judiciary, the precarious conditions of those deprived of their liberty, the high levels of prison violence, and the situation of freedom of expression," according to a press release published on Wednesday.

According to Meléndez, the IACHR has received reports "about issues that have had an impact on the freedom of expression." Such issues included  "murders, acts of violence, mounting prosecution of journalists and other actions that could constitute indirect restrictions to freedom of expression, as the actions taken by the authorities to review concessions to the media due to reasons that may include their editorial line".

Meléndez reminded that the State should exercise the authority to administer the radio electric spectrum taking into account its international obligations, "without adopting indirect restrictions to freedom of expression on the basis of an editorial line". Meléndez also hailed the significant and peaceful participation of Venezuelan citizens in presidential elections in December 2006.