IACHR grants precautionary measures to Israel Moisés Crespo Sulbarán, J.D.C.C., and Gustavo Adolfo Torres Zambrano, in Venezuela

October 30, 2024

Washington, D.C. — On October 28, 2024, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 78/2024, granting precautionary measures to protect the lives, personal integrity, and health of Israel Moisés Crespo Sulbarán, J.D.C.C., and Gustavo Adolfo Torres Zambrano in Venezuela.

The petitioning party reported that the proposed beneficiaries face significant risks following their detention by state security forces on July 30, 2024. The whereabouts of Israel Moisés Crespo Sulbarán and Gustavo Adolfo Torres Zambrano remain unknown. The former's wife sought information by visiting various offices of state security forces, but these have denied knowledge of his location. On August 25, Gustavo Adolfo Torres Zambrano was allegedly moved to an undisclosed location. Meanwhile, the adolescent J.D.C.C. is reportedly being held in substandard conditions that are endangering his health. The Venezuelan has provided no response or clarification.

The IACHR understands that the three beneficiaries were detained by state agents without evidence of an arrest warrant or judicial review. The whereabouts of two beneficiaries remain unknown, and their families have not received official information on criminal proceedings or their place of detention. With regard to J.D.C.C., the IACHR stressed the enhanced protection afforded to adolescents under international law, stressing the State's obligation to ensure treatment appropriate to his age and to provide access to the medical care he urgently needs.

Consequently, in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR requested that Venezuela:

1. take the necessary measures to protect the beneficiaries' rights to life and personal integrity. In particular, the State must clarify whether Israel Moisés Crespo Sulbarán and Gustavo Adolfo Torres Zambrano are in its custody and provide details regarding their detention or outline the steps being taken to determine their whereabouts or fate. The IACHR deems it critical for the State to report whether the beneficiaries have been charged with a crime and have been brought before a competent court so that their detention can be reviewed. If this is not the case, the State should explain why they have not been released;
2. take the necessary measures to ensure that Israel Moisés Crespo's wife can continue to speak out about her husband's circumstances without fear of threats, harassment, or violence.
3. take the necessary measures to ensure that the conditions in which the beneficiaries are being held are compatible with the applicable international standards on this matter, including:
   1. preventing any form of mistreatment, harassment, or violence within detention centers;
   2. providing access to adequate, specialized medical care;
   3. ensuring regular contact with family members and legal representatives; and
   4. taking specific measures in the case of J.D.C.C. to uphold his best interests as a child;
4. report on the steps taken to investigate the circumstances that led to the granting of these precautionary measures, with the aim of preventing similar occurrences in the future.

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. 271/24

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