The Venezuelan government considers that a report on Venezuela from the Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) forms part of a "smear campaign." However, the author of the document, Commissioner Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, thinks that the report is "balanced," because it "shows problems in the field of civil and political rights, but also acknowledges significant strides in terms of economic, social and cultural rights."

In a telephone conversation with El Universal, the Brazilian jurist, who is responsible for following up the status of fundamental rights in Venezuela, recalled that the Executive Office helped draft the report on Democracy and human rights in Venezuela, because "it answered a 79-item questionnaire and also was furnished a draft and 90 percent of the remarks made were welcome."

The paper is very tough and this is the reason for the Executive's reply. It seems that you did not find any progress.
In the report, 70 pages are used to acknowledge accomplishments, such as the fact that Venezuela is the first country in the region that has attained the millennium goals and the one with the least inequality. However, the Commission thinks that civil and political rights should be as protected and encouraged as economic, social and cultural rights.

The Commission is worried about a number of problems, such as autonomy and impartiality of the judiciary. The high number of interim judges (930) is worrisome, as well as removals of judges because their decisions did not please the government.

Criminalization of people for protesting is also alarming. Over the past five years, 2,200 people have been tried for protesting. Another matter of concern for some years is freedom of thinking and freedom of expression. The reversal of broadcasting concessions for 32 radio stations and the threats against additional 200 is worrisome and I do not know of a similar situation in the hemisphere. Citizen's insecurity is also alarming, because Venezuela is nowadays among the countries with the highest homicide rates in the world -58 killings per 100,000 inhabitants.

The government has been very critic of the IACHR; it accuses it of having supported the coup attempt of 2002 and upon these grounds it does not allow it to pay the visit. What do you think?
In the first pages of the report, this situation is commented. The Commission, of course, does not agree with such interpretation of the Venezuelan State. President Chávez greeted the Commission after its visit to Venezuela in 2002. I think that these charges are completely absurd. It is an unacceptable allegation. I regret that Venezuela missed the wonderful opportunity of having the presidency of the Commission (with Luz Patricia Mejías) for deeper and smoother talks with the Commission.

Is the IACHR particularly interested in railing on the Venezuelan government? Does it intend to oust it?
(Laugh) Absolutely not. The Commission is not the enemy of any government in the Americas. The Commission has friendly relations with all countries; the only country which refuses a visit of the Commission is Venezuela. Other countries, which I am not going to name, have a tough dialogue and many disagreements with the Commission, but they have never made any accusations like Venezuela. The Commission is not at odds with any government. The Commission is an agency of the States and we work for them. We ensure their compliance with the American Convention; we do not oppose President Chávez.

The IACHR is not a Commission for Venezuela. The IACHR is not worried over Venezuela only, but the whole hemisphere.

Translated by Conchita Delgado