58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue with the FFM on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Statement delivered by H.E. Ambassador Riia Salsa-Audiffren
on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden.
18 March 2025
Mr President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.
We thank the Fact-Finding Mission for the oral update on Venezuela and reiterate our full support to their important work.
We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Venezuela, particularly by intensified political repression, the excessive use of force and the suppression of freedom of expression and media freedom. Furthermore, we condemn the systematic crackdown on political opponents, including Supreme Court rulings that prevent opposition members from exercising their fundamental political rights, and the harassment of civil society, including journalists, media workers and human rights defenders.
We are also worried about the absence of national accountability measures against perpetrators. It is vital that the Venezuelan authorities take decisive action towards ending impunity for committed crimes.
We call on Venezuela to comply with its international obligations and ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. We also urge the Government of Venezuela to collaborate effectively with the United Nations mechanisms, including the Fact-Finding Mission and with the International Criminal Court.
Distinguished experts, could you elaborate on the level of cooperation the Venezuelan government is currently demonstrating with regard to UN human rights mechanisms?
I thank you!