Red de Apoyo lobbies parliament to pass anti-torture law

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Wednesday, June 04, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Venezuelan human rights group Red de Apoyo por la Justicia y la Paz has asked the National Assembly (AN)  to pass a law preventing and penalizing torture in Venezuela. Congregating in front of the AN, the Red de Apoyo lobbied passers by and passed out fliers to illustrate their conviction ... a striking display of bannered colors and photographs showed victims of torture and extra-judicial killings.

Red spokesperson, Laura Roldan says the organization has received 121 complaints (16 in 2003) from people allegedly tortured and insists that the Assembly grant the police, tribunals and Attorney General's Office more resources to fight torture perpetrated by police and military officers. "Legally torture isn't typified and there are no legal or disciplinary penalties either ... the public organs must have the resources to combat impunity."

The human rights group has been working on a draft law that stresses prevention and punishment for perpetrators, as well as establishing State responsibility when it comes to helping victims. 

The Police Detective Branch (CICPC), Roldan points out, does not come out in shining colors as regards the practice of torture ... "our research on the CICPC has surprised us because that particular police force is investigative by nature ... it is supposed that CICPC officers have been trained to legally elicit information. 

"The Red de Apoyo has received reports of illegal arrests, physical and psychological mistreatment and even extra-judicial killings on the part of the Metropolitan Police (PM) and Sucre Municipal Police.