IACHR expands precautionary measures for Sairam Gabriela Rivas Moreno in Venezuela

April 28, 2025

Washington, DC—On April 24, 2025, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 35/2025 granting precautionary measures to Sairam Gabriela Rivas Moreno in Venezuela after determining that her rights were at serious and urgent risk of irreparable harm.

On December 31, 2024, the IACHR granted precautionary measures in favor of Ms. Rivas Moreno's partner, Jesús Alexander Armas Monasterios, through Resolution 105/2024. At the time, it reported that Ms. Rivas Moreno was the target of harassment and threats as a result of her work as a human rights defender and her attempts to search for her missing partner. The Venezuelan State has not responded to the IACHR regarding this matter.

Consequently, the IACHR requested that the Venezuelan State:

1. take the necessary steps to protect the rights to life and personal integrity of Sairam Gabriela Rivas Moreno;
2. take the necessary steps to ensure that the beneficiary can continue her human rights work without being subjected to threats, harassment, or acts of violence in the course of doing so. The State must guarantee that its agents respect her rights and physical integrity in line with international human rights standards, and must also take effective steps to prevent and respond to risks posed by third parties;
3. Disclose any ongoing criminal investigations against her, provide copies of any arrest warrants that may have been issued, and guarantee her safety during the course of any such investigations;
4. coordinate the implementation of protective measures with the beneficiary and her legal representatives; and
5. report on the actions taken to investigate the incidents that prompted the expansion of these precautionary measures, and outline steps to prevent the recurrence of such events.

The expansion of these precautionary measures and their implementation by the State does not constitute a decision on any future petitions that may be filed with 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. 082/25

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