Ombudsman admits: torture rife in Venezuelan prisons

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

The Ombudsman’s Office has collected evidence that torture is still being practiced in Venezuelan prisons. According to an El Universal report, Ombudsman German Mundarain handed a report to the UN Anti-Torture Committee in November 2002.

Among the incidents highlighted was a complaint by the mothers of 5 inmates at the la Planta prison protesting the scarcity of food supplies.

A medical review confirmed torture procedures such as electricity shocks on the genitals, burnings on parts of the body and physical beatings.

The report criticizes the prison system but insists that many of the problems trace back to earlier administrations.

It concludes that current administrative efforts have not been sufficient despite backing from the 1999 Constitution. Mundarain says the report is the result of 150 prison visitations.