Chavez rebuffs OAS report on freedom of expression

Last week the government of Venezuela reacted angrily to criticism by the Organization of American States’ Commission on Human Rights. The OAS commission cited Venezuela for imposing restrictions on freedom of expression and persecuting dissidents and the opposition to the Chavez administration.

A government spokesperson, Gabriela Ramirez, declared that the report was “a piece of patchwork” consisting of isolated facts that distorted the real situation in Venezuela. “All the cases referred to are under investigation in accordance with the country’s penal code,” declared Ramirez.

The OAS commission recommended that Chavez government do more to ensure that human rights are protected in accordance with the American Convention on Human Rights. In its report, doubts were raised regarding the separation and independence of powers in Venezuela, which could be seen as characteristic of a totalitarian government. It was also noted that the government uses punitive power to intimidate or punish people because of their political opinions with the result that human rights activists and journalists cannot exercise their activities freely. The commission pointed out that the Venezuela has refused to allow its inspectors into the country.  Chavez has criticized the OAS, saying it operates under orders from the United States.