Tag Archives: Human rights

Jul
8
2011
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In Case You Missed It… Articles Roundup Week of 7/8/11

In this week’s round up…In the midst of the veil of secrecy around President Chavez’s condition, reports point to colon cancer. Venezuelan presidential contender Henrique Capriles still hopes he will face Chávez in the 2012 presidential elections. As speculations loom over Chavez’s cancer, the military might play a key role in the country’s future, Venezuela becomes the only oil producing country that has increased its debt, the nationwide consumer price index has jumped 2.5% in the month of June and Venezuela’s telecommunications agency began a new investigation of the TV channel Globovision for its coverage of violence in the Rodeo II riots.

Chávez Is Believed to Have Colon Cancer, Wall Street Journal

President Hugo Chávez appears to be suffering from colon cancer, according to two people with direct knowledge of the president’s condition. Mr. Chávez admitted he had cancer last week, but hasn’t disclosed what type.

Challenger for Venezuela Presidency Still Hopes to Face Chávez, Wall Street Journal

A state governor who is a leading contender to challenge the re-election bid of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said Wednesday that he hopes the incumbent will remain in the race despite questions about his health.

Venezuela’s military a key player amid uncertainty, AP via Newsday

As Chavez fights cancer, military could be key player in Venezuela’s political future

Venezuela’s military took center stage in the country’s bicentennial celebrations Tuesday, and it likely would be a key player in the country’s political future if Hugo Chavez were to be forced out of the presidency by cancer.

Venezuela is the only oil producer that increases debt, El Universal

Average debt-to-GDP ratio in the Middle East will drop 14.1 percent this year, according to the IMF

After eight years of high oil prices, it has become clear that oil exporters, except for Venezuela, have a consistent policy to save a part of revenues and reduce debt.

Data and projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) show that the Middle East and Central Asia petro-states have realized that oil does not escape the law of gravity. Therefore, they avoid the lack of fiscal control during times of booming oil prices.

UPDATE: Venezuela June Consumer Prices Up 2.5% On Month, Dow Jones Newswires via WSJ

Venezuela’s nationwide consumer price index jumped 2.5% in June, the central bank said Thursday, maintaining a quicker pace of inflation after three months of tamer increases.

Government officials have said they were making progress at slowing the country’s inflation rate, which is perpetually among the highest in the world. But many analysts believe consumer prices will likely increase even faster amid the uncertainty surrounding President Hugo Chavez’s illness.

Venezuela launches probe of TV channel’s coverage, Associated Press

Venezuela’s telecommunications agency began a new investigation of the TV channel Globovision on Thursday, this time for its coverage of violence at two prisons where inmates have battled troops.

Globovision takes a strident stance against President Hugo Chavez’s government. It has been the subject of six prior probes, including allegations of tax evasion and investigations of its coverage of protests, an earthquake and on-air remarks about Chavez.

 
Jun
29
2011
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Trafficking in Persons 2011 Report

The US State Department has included Venezuela on a list of nations that could face sanctions along with Cuba, Costa Rica, Panamá and the Dominican Republic for their lack of action in combating human trafficking. The 11th edition of the Trafficking in Persons Report did not see much progress in Venezuela’s efforts to  combat human trafficking, for which it can face a number of sanctions ranging from the suspension of non humanitarian and non commercial aid to the US opposing IMF or World Bank financing.

According to the report presented by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, “Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor. Venezuelan women and girls are found in conditions of sex trafficking within the country, lured from poor interior regions to urban and tourist centers, such as Caracas, Maracaibo, and Margarita Island”.

The report also stated a number of reforms that must happen in order for Venezuela to get on the right track when it comes to combating human trafficking. These reforms include:

  • Modifying its current laws in order to prohibit and adequately reprimand any type of human trafficking
  • Intensifying its efforts to investigate and prosecute cases of forced prostitution and slave labor
  • Prosecuting and jailing the traffickers
  • Providing better specialized assistance to the victims
  • Identifying the victims among vulnerable groups
  • Improving the current databases in regards to these types of felonies

The listing of Venezuela in the report is likely to further deteriorate the already fragile diplomatic relations between both countries. Both countries lack the representation of ambassadors in their territories. Furthermore, the US imposed economic sanctions on the state owned oil company, PDVA, for their dealings with Iran.

 
Jun
17
2011
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Venezuela Government Ranked “Least Accountable Government in the World”

A new report released this week concludes that Venezuela is “the worst performer in the world in accountability and effective checks on the executive power.” The 2011 Rule of Law Index, which surveyed 200 experts from 66 countries, also found that Venezuela is one of the countries that least respect fundamental human rights, including freedoms of opinion and expression and the right to privacy. In addition, the Index states that the Venezuelan government offers very weak protections of property rights. In terms of crime prevention, the report says that often Venezuela does not prosecute or convict perpetrators of burglaries. Security is one of the top-of-mind concerns for most Venezuelans, who increasingly find themselves victims of crime.

Out of 66 countries studied, Venezuela ranked:
•    54th in corruption
•    64th in crime and violence
•    Dead last (66th) in transparency of government institutions and strength of the criminal justice system, which is often influenced by politics

Among the 12 countries surveyed in Latin America, Venezuela received the lowest scores in the region, ranking either last or second to last in six of the variables.

The Rule of Law Index was developed by the World Justice Project – an organization partly funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Index regularly reviews countries’ compliance with the rule of law and access to independent justice in the world. The full report can be found at: www.worldjusticeproject.org.