Western Hemisphere
The situation of political prisoners in Venezuela, the criminalization of protests and the attacks against freedom of expression were part of a 60-page report that a Venezuelan delegation submitted to some members of the Commission on Citizenship and Human Rights of the Common Market of the South (Parlasur) in Buenos Aires.

During an hour and a half, three legislators of Mercosur, led by the President of the Commission, Mirtha Palacios (Liberal Party), a Paraguayan member of Parlasur, listened carefully to the statements made by Freddy Guevara (Un Nuevo Tiempo), a former student leader and Caracas town councilor; Silvia Alegrett, of the Venezuelan Journalists' Association (CNP); Marco Ruiz, of the National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) and Rafael Cadavieco and Andreína Márquez, of NGO Somos Radio.

Guevara depicted the situation in Venezuela as the "building of a bomb against democracy," when he referred to the alleged systematic violation of human rights in the country. He mentioned, among other cases, the arrests of José "Maraco" Dacre; Caracas Prefect Richard Blanco, and university student Julio César Rivas.

Meanwhile, Ruiz – one of the journalists of Cadena Capriles press group who was attacked on August 13th by government supporters – said that "Venezuelan authorities remain silent when the media and media workers are the victims of aggression."

Members of the delegation also mentioned the looming shutdown of 240 radio stations. In this sense, Cadavieco asserted that the government has a clear interest to use these frequencies "to transfer them to government supporters and reduce the cost of propaganda for 2010 elections."

Tense meeting
The meeting with Parlatino legislators was initially held in strained conditions, because Desirée Santos Amaral and Carlos Escarrá, two members of the Venezuelan National Assembly, appeared unexpectedly. Both legislators were present throughout the presentation against the Venezuelan government. However, there were no disputes.

After its presentation, the Venezuelan delegation left the room and the two pro-government legislators remained in the hall with Parlatino parliamentarians refuting the allegations formerly made. This meeting went for about 45 minutes.

The complainants seized the opportunity to invite the Parlasur Commission to visit Venezuela, in order to assess the situation of human rights.

It was known that this invitation will be assessed at the plenary session of the Commission, which is formed by lawmakers from Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. Venezuela also participates in the Commission but without voting rights as it is not a full member.

On Monday, September 21st, the Venezuelan delegation who denounced in Buenos Aires the human rights abuses will take the floor during the plenary session.

rtheis@eluniversal.com

Translated by Gerardo Cárdenas

Reyes Theis
EL UNIVERSAL