According to Provea, those imprisoned for political reasons and their families “have been victims of serious abuse, including torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”
At least 80 political prisoners were released this Sunday in Venezuela, at a time when the process of releasing detainees is progressing slowly under pressure from Washington, the NGO Foro Penal reported.
“At least 80 political prisoners, whose cases we are verifying, were released today across the country. Other releases are likely to occur,” wrote the director of Foro Penal, Alfredo Romero, in a post on the social network X.
At least 80 political prisoners that we are verifying have been released today throughout the country. There will probably be more releases.
— Alfredo Romero (@alfredoromero)
In another publication, Alfredo Romero also reports that among the people released is “Kennedy Tejeda, lawyer, human rights defender and political prisoner in Tocorón since August 2, 2024”. “He’s already at home with his family,” he adds.
Our dear colleague Kennedy Tejeda, lawyer, human rights defender, political prisoner in Tocorón since August 2, 2024, has been released from prison. Already at home with his family.
— Alfredo Romero (@alfredoromero)
On Saturday, the non-governmental organization (NGO) Venezuelan Human Rights Education and Action Program (Provea) called on Venezuelan authorities to revoke the external emergency decree that has been in force in the country since the US captured Nicolás Maduro.
According to Provea, the decree is unconstitutional and allows the population to be repressed for political reasons, and with its repeal it would be possible to move forward in a reconciliation process that leads to the redemocratization of the country and respect for the National Constitution.
In a statement, the organization also stated that “the most urgent demand, which unites the whole of society, is the full, unconditional and immediate release of all people who are arbitrarily deprived of their liberty or subject to legal proceedings for political reasons and who continue to be unjustly detained in prisons and police stations across the country.”
According to Provea, those imprisoned for political reasons and their families “have been victims of serious abuse, including torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment”.
On Friday, the Unitary Democratic Platform (PUD), which brings together the majority of the Venezuelan opposition, urged the Government to publish a “detailed list” of political prisoners released in recent weeks.
This demand comes after interim president Delcy Rodríguez stated that 626 people had been released.
