IACHR Press Office
Washington, D.C. – On November 25, 2024, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) adopted Follow-up and Modification Resolution 89/2024, concerning María Corina Machado's situation in Venezuela. Machado had been granted precautionary measures in 2019 (MC-125-19).
In this follow-up and modification resolution, the IACHR assessed the persistence of risks affecting opposition leader María Corina Machado in Venezuela, and the fact that these risks have increased following the 2024 presidential election. Reported incidents include instances of assault, threats, and harassment, as well as a series of stigmatizing comments made against Machado by high government officials. These incidents were clearly linked to her political activity and her role as the leader of the opposition in the country, particularly in the context of the repression that followed the election.
Further, the IACHR noted the situation of individuals who are being detained inside the Argentine Embassy in Venezuela. The IACHR stressed that "in a democracy, no political leaders should be forced to seek asylum in an embassy or to leave their country to safeguard their rights to life, integrity, and liberty." The IACHR stressed its call on the State to "respect, protect, and defend the human rights of all Venezuelans and to exhaust all conflict-resolution measures prioritizing dialogue and negotiations."
The IACHR noted the State's failure to provide the information that had been requested and its failure to implement protection measures, which appear to leave the beneficiary defenseless and vulnerable in Venezuela's current context. Given the scenario, the IACHR had already followed up on these events before the election.
After assessing the legal and factual allegations in this case, and in keeping with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR found that María Corina Machado's rights continue to be at risk. The IACHR therefore decided to take the following action:
The fact that these precautionary measures have been granted and their adoption by the State do not entail a prejudgment on a potential petition that may be filed before the inter-American system to allege violations of rights protected by the American Convention on Human Rights and other applicable instruments.
The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 299/24
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