IACHR Grants Precautionary Measures to Political Leader Freddy Superlano in Venezuela

August 26, 2024

Washington, D.C. - —On August 26, 2024, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 55/2024 granting precautionary measures to Freddy Francisco Superlano Salinas in Venezuela, after determining that he faces serious, urgent risk of irreparable harm to his rights.

According to the request for precautionary measures, Freddy Superlano is a political leader and the national coordinator of the Voluntad Popular party. On the morning of July 30, 2024, he was reportedly arbitrarily detained in Caracas by agents of the National Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN), and his whereabouts have since remained unknown.

The requesting party stated that Freddy Superlano's relatives filed a writ of habeas corpus, which was declared inadmissible. Despite the efforts of his relatives and legal representatives to locate him at various SEBIN facilities, they were repeatedly informed that he was not being held there. The requesting party also alleged that the beneficiary had become a target for repressive actions due to his role within Voluntad Popular.

After reviewing the legal and factual information, the IACHR noted that Freddy Superlano's prominent role as a national coordinator and political activist for an opposition party has made him a target of persecution, threats, and attacks. The IACHR has received reports that individuals with ties to the governing party had threatened both Freddy Superlano and his wife on multiple occasions.

The IACHR observed that national authorities had failed to provide protective measures in favor of the beneficiary. His rights to life and personal integrity are thus considered to be at grave risk, particularly due to the lack of official information regarding the reasons for his detention and the ongoing uncertainty as to his current whereabouts.

Therefore, in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR requests that the State of Venezuela

1. take the necessary measures to protect Freddy Francisco Superlano Salinas's rights to life and personal integrity. The State must clarify whether the beneficiary is in its custody and provide details on his circumstances and the measures being taken to determine his whereabouts or fate. If he remains detained, the State must also explain the legal basis for his detention and confirm whether he has been brought before a competent court. If not, the State should clarify why he has not been released;
2. take the necessary measures to ensure that the beneficiary can carry out his work as a member of an opposition party without facing threats, harassment, or violence; and
3. report on the measures taken to investigate the alleged circumstances that led to the adoption of these precautionary measures and to prevent their recurrence.

The granting of these precautionary measures and their implementation by the State do not imply any prejudgment on petitions that may be filed before the inter-American system concerning violations of rights protected by the American Convention on Human Rights and other applicable instruments.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 193/24

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