Venezuela’s government has ordered the local UN office on human rights to suspend operations, giving its staff 72 hours to leave, after accusing the office of promoting opposition to the South American country. Gil’s announcement came on the heels of the detention of the human rights attorney Rocío San Miguel, which set off a wave of criticism inside and outside Venezuela. The government said the UN human rights office must rectify its “colonialist, abusive and violating attitude”, accusing it of playing an “inappropriate role” in the country and supporting impunity for people involved in attempts at assassination, coups, conspiracies and other plots. We continue to engage with the authorities and other stakeholders,” said UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. The UN high commissioner for human rights, based in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday had expressed “deep concern” over San Miguel’s detention.

Source: The Guardian February 16, 2024 16:23 UTC