Amnesty International says Venezuela has worst rights record in 'its history'

Record ID: 1357078

  • Title: Amnesty International says Venezuela has worst rights record in 'its history'
  • Date: 20th September 2018
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (SEPTEMBER 20, 2018) (REUTERS) DIRECTOR OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN SPAIN, ESTEBAN BELTRAN, AND MARIANA FONTOURA MARQUES, DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND JUSTICE FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN ARGENTINA, ARRIVING TO NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DIRECTOR OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN SPAIN, ESTEBAN BELTRAN, SAYING: "According to official figures from the public ministry, between 2005 and June 2017, there were 8,292 extrajudicial executions in Venezuela. This is a very high figure. We are talking about approximately 22 percent of the homicides in the country are carried out by the state."
  • Embargoed: 4th October 2018 19:44
  • Keywords: Venezuela Amnesty International rights killings crisis
  • Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA AND BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA / INTERNET
  • City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA AND BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA / INTERNET
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0028YFN7ER
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Amnesty International said on Thursday (September 20) that Venezuela is 'responsible for the worst human rights crisis in its history'.
    The report which was presented in Buenos Aires, Argentina also featured a video presentation that included several Venezuelans talking about how their loved ones were killed in what Amnesty International terms 'extrajudicial executions'.
    "According to official figures from the public ministry, between 2005 and June 2017, there were 8,292 extrajudicial executions in Venezuela. This is a very high figure. We are talking about approximately 22 percent of the homicides in the country are carried out by the state," Esteban Beltran, Director of Amnesty International in Spain said.
    He went on to explain that 'extrajudicial executions' refers to a person who was unarmed and killed by gun shots to the chest, neck and/or head. The victim was usually either kneeling or laying down in front of police.
    The Venezuelan government did not immediately respond to the report.
    Venezuela is grappling with a crippling economic crisis.
    The OPEC member is collapsing under low oil prices and an unravelling socialist economic system, leaving millions struggling to eat and hundreds of thousands streaming into neighbouring countries in search of better conditions.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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