The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) adopted on August 14, 2024, the Follow-up and Modification Resolution 49/2024 in relation to the situation of Williams Dávila in Venezuela (PM-533-17). The IACHR expressed particular concern about the ongoing risk faced by the beneficiary since the granting of the PM, without the State having adopted protection measures in his favor, and that the risk has increased after his whereabouts have been unknown since August 8, 2024, following his alleged arbitrary detention by State agents in the Plaza de Los Palos Grandes, in Caracas, Venezuela. The IACHR took note of public information that a criminal complaint for “forced disappearance” was filed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, highlighting the health situation of the beneficiary and recalling his status as an elderly person. After analyzing the submissions of fact and law, in light of the context of repression in the post-electoral protests in Venezuela, the Commission believes that the current situation of Williams Dávila is part of a cycle of events against him that seek to remove him from public debate. Therefore, pursuant to Article 25 of the Rules of Procedure, the IACHR requests that the State of Venezuela:
a) adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the life and personal integrity of Mr. Williams Dávila;
b) take the necessary measures to guarantee that Mr. Williams Dávila can carry out his activities as a member of the National Assembly without being subjected to threats, harassment, or acts of violence in the exercise of his functions;
c) report whether the beneficiary is in the custody of the State and his circumstances, or the measures to determine his whereabouts or fate;
d) consult and agree upon the measures to be implemented with the beneficiary and his representatives; and
e) report on the actions taken to investigate the alleged facts that led to the adoption of this resolution, so as to prevent them from reoccurring.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) adopted on May 6, 2024 the Follow-up Resolution 27/2024, in relation to the situation of José Daniel Ferrer García, who is being held in inadequate conditions of deprivation of liberty in Cuba (PM-484-11). The IACHR expressed particular concern about the State’s unwillingness to engage in dialogue, noting that, on the contrary, all the information available, both in the instant matter and through the monitoring of the situation in the country, allows this Commission to affirm that State agents are taking actions that intensify the situation that places the beneficiary at risk, instead of mitigating it. Consequently, the Commission decided as follows:
On April 29, 2024, the IACHR decided to follow up and extend precautionary measures in favor of members of the Venezuelan Program of Education-Action on Human Rights in Venezuela. According to the request, the members of PROVEA are at risk in the context of their work as human rights defenders in the current situation of Venezuela, considering the visibility of the institution and its coordinators, the frequent stigmatizing remarks made by high-ranking State authorities in the media, and the surveillance and monitoring by State agents. Consequently, under the terms of Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR decided to require that Venezuela:
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) decided to issue the present Resolution on Follow-up of precautionary measures in accordance with the terms of Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure. The Commission evaluated the actions taken by the State in favor of the beneficiaries and considered that a situation of risk persists, as well as making assessments regarding the scope of the measures. Consequently, in accordance with Article 25 of the IACHR Rules of Procedure, the Commission decided as follows: