Arbitrary detention of HRD as crackdown intensifies ahead of presidential elections

Introduction

Civic space in Venezuela, rated as closed by the CIVICUS Monitor, has deteriorated further following the arbitrary detention of human rights defender Rocío San Miguel in February 2024. The country was subsequently added to the Watch List in March 2024 due to a sharp decline in respect for civic freedoms.

Recent developments, such as the National Assembly’s debate on a restrictive draft law targeting NGOs—which threatens to severely curtail freedom of association—and the government’s suspension of the activities of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), highlight the growing risks faced by Venezuelan civil society under President Nicolás Maduro’s administration. With presidential elections scheduled for July 2024, the ongoing erosion of civic freedoms raises serious concerns about the integrity of the democratic process.

In June 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) underscored the need for comprehensive reforms in healthcare, education and workers’ rights, along with stronger efforts to protect civic space and ensure the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. It also noted the impact of economic challenges, including inflation and high poverty rates, exacerbated by sectoral sanctions.

Association

Attacks against human rights defenders amid worsening repression

According to the Centre for Defenders and Justice (Centro para los Defensores y la Justicia, CDJ), a Venezuelan human rights organisation, a sharp rise in repression against human rights defenders has been documented in the first half of 2024, with 592 incidents reported—a staggering 92 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Documented abuses include intimidation, stigmatisation, arbitrary detention and judicial harassment.

The government has intensified its efforts to silence civil society, labelling defenders as “enemies” or “destabilisers.” Broad anti-terrorism and organised crime laws have been misused to target individuals, as exemplified by the case of Rocío San Miguel. State-aligned media have fuelled stigmatisation campaigns. The use of armed groups to intimidate opposition voices and the diminishing trust in public institutions have further destabilised an already fragile environment.

Of the 592 incidents documented, 395 (67 per cent) involved threats and attacks against civil society organisations. The remaining 197 cases (33 per cent) targeted individuals directly. These actions encompassed threats, harassment and stigmatisation, particularly against organisations such as the Venezuelan Program for Education and Action on Human Rights (Provea) and Access to Justice. Other groups, including Espacio Público, Transparencia Venezuela, Foro Penal, Control Ciudadano, Amnesty International, Sin Mordaza and the Press and Society Institute (IPYS), also faced intimidation.

By the end of the semester, judicial proceedings against FundaRedes members were ongoing. Notably, judicial harassment targeted FundaRedes director Javier Tarazona, along with Rafael Tarazona and Omar de Dios García. Javier Tarazona endured harm to his personal integrity. The persecution and criminalisation of union leaders also increased.

State and pro-governmental digital media outlets were responsible for the highest proportion, accounting for 201 attacks (34 per cent), often through their social media platforms. Public officials followed closely, conducting 187 attacks (31 per cent), leveraging personal social media profiles and government-aligned media to intimidate and stigmatise individuals and organisations.

Pro-government actors carried out 158 attacks (27 per cent). Meanwhile, public institutions were implicated in 28 incidents (5 per cent), reflecting their role in systemic harassment. Finally, state security agencies were identified as perpetrators in 18 incidents (3 per cent).

A new bill threatens civic freedoms

On 26th March 2024, President Nicolás Maduro announced a bill titled “Law Against Fascism, Neo-Fascism and Similar Expressions”, which was approved on its first reading by the National Assembly on 2nd April 2024. The proposed bill employs broad and ambiguous definitions of “fascism” and “neo-fascism”, criminalising a wide range of ideological expressions, including conservatism and neoliberalism.

The bill defines fascism broadly, encompassing “racism, chauvinism, classism, moral conservatism, neoliberalism, misogyny and all kinds of anti-human phobias.” Amnesty International criticised these definitions as overly vague and incompatible with international human rights standards.

Provisions within the bill include severe penalties, such as eight to 12 years’ imprisonment for individuals accused of “denigrating democracy, its institutions, and republican values”, and six to 10 years’ imprisonment for those who “promote organisations based on fascism or neo-fascism” or organise public meetings advocating such ideologies. The bill also enforces broad disqualifications, barring perceived opponents from holding public office.

Civil society warned that this legislation could exacerbate the suppression of dissent and undermine fundamental civic freedoms. “This bill follows the same lines as the 2017 Anti-Hate Law. Both promote disproportionate sanctions and deepen an internal enemy narrative. But the anti-fascism bill goes even further, attacking freedom of thought by persecuting ideas contrary to the official ideology. While purporting to confront fascism, this bill seems to be a tool of stigmatisation and political persecution against all forms of dissent. If passed, it will institutionalise the criminalisation of people and organisations the state identifies as fascist, regardless of their beliefs or activities.”

On 3rd July 2024, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern about two bills targeting NGOs and anti-fascism: “ I reiterate my appeal to refrain from adopting legislation that would further restrict the right to participate in public affairs and the freedoms of association and expression. In fact, this was one of the topics I raised in my visit to Venezuela last year.”

Expression

Arbitrary detention of journalist

On 15th April 2024, unidentified individuals in an unmarked vehicle arbitrarily detained Carlos Julio Rojas, a journalist and community leader in Caracas. Hours later, Venezuelan Prosecutor Tarek William Saab accused Rojas of acting as a “logistical operator” in an alleged assassination plot against President Nicolás Maduro, purportedly planned during a political event on 25th March 2024. Rojas, who has previously been imprisoned as a political prisoner in Ramo Verde in 2017, is currently held in El Helicoide, a high-security detention facility operated by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN).

For 39 days, his whereabouts remained undisclosed, raising serious concerns from human rights organisations and his family. Authorities denied him access to his family and legal counsel for six weeks. His health has significantly deteriorated during his detention, with reports of uncontrolled hypertension and other urgent medical issues that remain untreated.

The Press and Society Institute of Venezuela (IPYS Venezuela) condemned this attack and raised concerns about the increasing persecution of the press and critical voices: “We demand the preservation of all of Rojas’ rights, including his right to choose legal representation by attorneys of his trust, and the adherence to due process guarantees.”

Journalists targeted by increased intimidation and censorship

According to Espacio Público, a Venezuelan freedom of expression organisation, between January and April 2024, the country witnessed an escalation in freedom of expression violations, with 68 incidents involving 135 documented restrictions compared to the same period in 2023. The surge coincides with heightened political tensions leading up to presidential elections, underscoring a systematic state-driven effort to suppress dissent and restrict access to information.

The most prevalent violations included intimidation (41 cases) and censorship (36 cases), making up nearly two-thirds of the incidents. Other reported violations comprised judicial harassment (19 cases), administrative restrictions (18), verbal harassment (13), threats (5) and physical attacks (3). Media outlets and journalists bore the brunt of violations, accounting for 28 and 27 cases, respectively. Notable incidents highlight the hostile environment for journalists:

• On 24th January 2024, Luis López, a journalist from La Verdad de Vargas, reported surveillance near his home in Carlos Soublette, Vargas State. Police officers and members of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) passed his residence on motorbikes and in vehicles, taking photographs of his home. López described these actions as attempts to intimidate him and interfere with his reporting.
• On 15th February 2024, workers from the State Railways Institute and officers of the Bolivarian National Police obstructed Reneé Herrera, a journalist from Revista del Tuy, during a coverage assignment at Libertador Simón Bolívar Station. Herrera was prevented from taking photographs or videos while investigating irregularities in the transport system. He was searched and subjected to restrictions on his journalistic activity.
• On 26th February, journalists from 10 media outlets were banned from covering a riot at police headquarters in Porlamar.

The National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL), often accompanied by state security forces, shut down 13 radio stations in states like Apure, Bolívar and Zulia, citing administrative reasons. Notable closures included three stations in Ciudad Ojeda in February and Bendición Stereo in Bolívar in March.

Peaceful Assembly

Protests reflect deepening socio-economic and political crisis

Venezuela saw 2,383 protests in the first half of 2024, averaging 13 daily demonstrations, according to the Observatorio Venezolano de Conflictividad Social (OVCS). While this represents a 45 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2023, the intensity and focus of the protests underscore significant socio-economic and political challenges.

Most of the protests (70 per cent) revolved around demands for economic, social, cultural and environmental rights. Workers, pensioners and citizens rallied for better living conditions, fair wages and reliable public services. Only 30 protests were met with repression involving security forces. These actions led to one protester being injured and four detained.

In the lead-up to Venezuela’s July 2024 presidential elections, protests increasingly centred on demands for justice, political participation and transparency. Concerns about arbitrary detentions, political disqualifications and proposed laws restricting civic freedoms dominated these demonstrations.