Red de Apoyo says security forces guilty of unopposed HR abuses ... 108 since 1999

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Monday, May 19, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuelan Human rights group, Red de Apoyo says it has received 13 complaints this year involving the police forces. 

In breakdown figures, Red de Apoyo general coordinator, Alfredo Ruiz reports that Police Detective Branch (CICPC) agents are responsible for 5 of the abuse cases, 5 the National Guard (GN), the Army 2 and municipal police forces 1. 

Last year, the group dealt with 25 cases: 44% allegedly perpetrated bthe Metropolitan Police (PM), 32% municipal police forces, 8% CICPC, 12% State Police and GN and Army 4%.

Ruiz says the breakdown of 70 cases in 1999-2001 is State police forces (24 cases), PM (17) and CICPC (9), municipal police forces (8), GN (4), Army (4) State Political & Security (DISIP) Police (2) and prison wardens (2). 

The most frequent forms of torture are death threats, verbal aggressions, beatings, being thrown down stairs, handcuffed, blindfolded, deprived of food and stripped naked. Most of the victims are male between the ages of 14-24 and 25-34.

• Red de Apoyo calls on the State and especially the Attorney General's Office to end the absolute impunity enjoyed by the security forces. 

Ruiz says he is concerned that there is no legal framework to penalize the perpetrators and accuses the National Assembly of failing in its duty because a law project should have been included in the House agenda in 2002.