UN: Democracy 'barely alive' in Venezuela

By Fatih Erel

GENEVA (AA) - The UN human rights chief on Wednesday said democracy was "barely alive" in Venezuela amid anti-government protests during the last five months.

"Extensive human rights violations and abuses have been committed in the context of anti-government protests in Venezuela and point to the existence of a policy to repress political dissent and instil fear in the population to curb demonstrations," the UN Human Rights Office report said on Wednesday.

Venezuela's security forces were responsible for 46 deaths linked to the protests and pro-government armed groups, known as armed colectivos, for 27, the report said.

“The government must ensure there are prompt, independent and effective investigations of the human rights violations allegedly committed by the security forces and of the abuses involving armed colectivos or violent protesters," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein said in a news conference in Geneva Wednesday.

Some 5,341 people were detained since April 1, with more than 1,000 reportedly still held in custody, the UN said.

"I once again call on the Government to renounce any measure that could increase political tension in the country and appeal to all parties to pursue meaningful dialogue to bring an end to this crisis," Hussein said.

Venezuela has grappled with deadly political and economic crises as low crude oil prices have forced the government to cut back or eliminate its socialist programs.

The crises have fueled public anger and fed massive protests that have left at least 100 dead since April.