Amnesty International: Venezuelan political class failed in April 11 investigation

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Sunday, April 13, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Amnesty International (AI) has urged the Venezuelan government to investigate human rights violations during April 2002, in which more than 50 persons died. In a precise communique, AI hits out at Venezuela's political class for failing to assume its role in the tragedy and for not bringing those responsible to justice.  "The government and opposition should stop trying to use the events of April 11 to favor their own agendas." 

The document says the recent rejection of charges against some people accused of the deaths and the impunity of the police shows the weakness of the official investigation and raise serious concern about the State's capacity.

Stressing the recurring theme of impunity in Venezuela, AI contends that the investigation and legal process should ensure justice for the victims and their families to avoid a repetition of the impunity that has reigned in other cases of serious human rights abuses. 

According to AI, the only way forward to secure an impartial investigation is to recur to international observers and warns that the excessive use of force by police needs to be reformed immediately.

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Human Rights issues in Venezuela Discussion on human rights as they affect Venezuela and Venezuelans