- Title: U.S. denounces Venezuela for repression, calls for free elections
- Date: 6th June 2017
- Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (JUNE 6, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF UNITED NATIONS BUILDING / GARDENS NEXT TO U.N. BUILDING STATUE AND PEOPLE IN GARDENS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NIKKI HALEY, ARRIVING FOR PANEL, GREETING OFFICIALS AND TAKING SEAT HALEY SITTING AS MODERATOR BEGINS DISCUSSION (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NIKKI HALEY, SAYING: "This is an economic, political and humanitarian crisis that demands the world's attention. But let there be no mistake, there is only one party responsible for the crisis in Venezuela- one group of officials is responsible for taking one of the richest countries in Latin America and making it a place where mothers dig through trash cans to feed their families." VARIOUS OF OFFICIALS LISTENING TO PANEL IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NIKKI HALEY, SAYING: "The Venezuelan government is in the midst of destroying human rights and democracy in Venezuela. It is conducting a campaign of violence and intimidation against unarmed demonstrators, businesses, civil society and freely-elected political opposition." OFFICIALS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NIKKI HALEY, SAYING: "But the Venezualan regime is fooling no-one. Recognising that its grip on power has slipped it is trying to yet again change the rules of the game to maintain its power, privileges and protections. Most recently, Maduro has begun the process of withdrawing from the organisation of American states, turning his back on the principles of democracy and self-determination in the inner American democratic charter." OFFICIAL LISTENING PANEL DISCUSSION IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 20th June 2017 15:52
- Keywords: protests rights U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley Nicolas Maduro Venezuela
- Location: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- City: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
- Country: Switzerland
- Reuters ID: LVA0016K55E87
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The United States denounced the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday (June 6) for suppressing protests and called for free elections, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told a U.S.-hosted panel of Venezuelan activists and experts.
The panel was held on the sidelines of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The Maduro government calls the protesters violent coup-mongers, supported by the United States.
At least 65 people have died in unrest since early April, with hundreds injured. Some 3,000 people have been arrested, with around one-third still behind bars, according to rights group Penal Forum.
Haley said the Venezuelan government is in "the midst of destroying human rights and democracy in Venezuela".
Maduro's foes are demanding general elections, freedom for jailed activists, humanitarian aid, and autonomy for the opposition-controlled National Assembly.
In May, Maduro announced a plan for a "constituent assembly" with powers to rewrite the constitution, in what he says is a bid to bring back peace. But opponents say he is seeking to dodge national elections and has ignored demands for an end to crushing food and medicine shortages. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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