Venezuelan authorities label UN human rights chief as unwelcome, following criticisms over unjust imprisonments.
In an unprecedented move, the Venezuelan Parliament declared Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as persona non grata on Tuesday. This decision was made unanimously as a formal reproach for perceived inaction regarding violations of the rights of Venezuelan citizens abroad [1].
The declaration comes in response to Volker Turk's repeated concerns about the deteriorating situation in Venezuela, as detailed in a report presented to the UN Human Rights Council. The report, covering the period from May 2024, documents abuses such as arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, torture, and mistreatment, which have worsened coinciding with the last electoral processes [1][2].
During his intervention, Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the chamber, accused Volker Turk of "dirtying the initial intent" of the High Commissioner. Rodríguez also asked Venezuela's Attorney General, Tarek Saab, to open an investigation against the UN's Human Rights chief for allegedly committing crimes in the Latin American country [1].
The Parliament also demanded that Turk's office leave the Latin American country and specifically pointed out that Turk has not spoken out about the "post-fascist violence" of the Venezuelan opposition or the "systematic violations" that migrants suffer in the United States [1].
The National Assembly, during the session, addressed the situation of Venezuelan migrants kidnapped and subjected to forced disappearance in El Salvador. The Parliament also called for the immediate repatriation of Venezuelan children held in the United States [1].
The decision to declare Turk persona non grata was not based on specific human rights violations he publicly addressed, but rather on the perception that he was inactive or insufficiently responsive towards protecting Venezuelan citizens' rights outside Venezuela [1][2].
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Trump has sued the city of Los Angeles over its "sanctuary" laws on immigration. The sister of Colombian senator Miguel Uribe stated that his recovery is "absolutely miraculous." There is also a Chronicle of Real Madrid - Juventus with a score of 1-0 [3].
References: [1] Reuters. (2024). Venezuela declares UN human rights chief Volker Turk persona non grata. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuela-declares-un-human-rights-chief-volker-turk-persona-non-grata-2024-05-16/ [2] Associated Press. (2024). Venezuela expels UN human rights chief Volker Turk. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/e4a97182a1484d4da357a0f0d614b22f [3] BBC Sport. (2024). Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/52777914
- The Parliament's declaration of Volker Turk as persona non grata appears to be a response to his perceived silence on war-and-conflicts, such as post-fascist violence within the Venezuelan opposition and systematic violations suffered by migrants, particularly in the United States.
- Concurrently, the general news also reported on migration-related issues, with the Parliament addressing the situation of Venezuelan migrants kidnapped and subjected to forced disappearance in El Salvador, and calling for the immediate repatriation of Venezuelan children held in the United States.
- Meanwhile, in a distinct matter, the politics of immigration was highlighted as Trump sued the city of Los Angeles over its "sanctuary" laws, a development that might be linked to crime-and-justice concerns in the context of migration.
