WUNRN
VENEZUELA - INSTABILITY -
PROTESTS - VIOLENCE - WOMEN
Who speaks for Venezuela women, and
girls (as students), about the security concerns, political polarization,
economic stresses, rule of law uncertainties, need for protection of human
rights....? Not so often these days on front page news, but absolutely on the
"front page" of women's lives in Venezuela, is the serious need
to de-escalate violence and provide democratic stability, rights, and justice.
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International Crisis Group
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/publication-type/media-releases/2014/latam/venezuela-tipping-point.aspx -
Full Article
VENEZUELA - CONTINUED FRAGILE
TIPPING POINT OF CRISIS
Caracas/Bogotá/Brussels | 21 May 2014
Failure to resolve the Venezuelan crisis could plunge the country into yet more violence, leaving it unable to address soaring criminality and economic decline and exposing the inability of regional inter-governmental bodies to manage the continent’s conflicts.
“The international community must
provide support to de-escalate violence and maintain a consistent line on
restoration of the rule of law and respect for human rights”.
Javier Ciurlizza, Crisis Group’s Latin America Program Director
In its latest briefing, Venezuela: Tipping Point, the International Crisis Group examines Venezuela’s increasingly dangerous political polarisation and efforts to overcome it. The government and its supporters believe the opposition wishes to subvert democratic processes, reverse social gains and restore foreign domination of the country’s energy reserves; the opposition believes the government’s incompetence and its authoritarian socialist project are leading a potentially wealthy country into ruin. Neither side can win this fight nor govern alone. Outside facilitation, however difficult, provides the best hope for a resolution.........
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----- Original Message -----
From: WUNRN
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To: WUNRN ListServe
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2014 10:37 AM
Subject: Venezuela - Protests - Violence - Women & Girls
WUNRN
VENEZUELA - PROTESTS - VIOLENCE -
WOMEN & GIRLS
A woman with tape over her mouth in protest of officials
breaking up protesters' camps, stands outside the United Nations headquarters
in
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OFFICE OF THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
VENEZUELA
May 9, 2014 - We are
concerned at renewed violence in Venezuela in the context of demonstrations
against the government. On Wednesday night and early Thursday, Venezuelan
troops rounded up more than 200 youth movement protesters who had been camping
peacefully outside the UNDP offices in Caracas and other parts of the city.
According to official figures, a total of 243 people were arrested. The
government has claimed that the camps were being used as bases for staging
violent protests, and that they had found molotov cocktails, arms and drugs
there.
The majority of those detained, who include 18 minors and one pregnant woman,
have reportedly been taken to Tiuna military premises. Lawyers and families
have complained about lack of information about the whereabouts of those
detained as well as lack of access to them.
Hundreds of other
demonstrators took to the streets to protest against the arrests of the youths
and the dismantling of the camps. Barricades were set up and roads blocked. A
policeman was shot dead and three others reportedly injured during clashes.
Protesters were also reportedly injured. Further arrests were reported
throughout Caracas yesterday evening.
We are also concerned at reports of violence and attacks -- usually started by
armed individuals -- in and around Venezuelan universities, which have been
taking place since the beginning of the week. The Library of the Fermin Toro
University in Barquisimeto was set on fire, and police used rubber bullets and
tear gas to disperse demonstrations inside and outside the premises of the Catholic
University in Puerto Ordaz.
We unequivocally condemn all violence by all sides in Venezuela. We are
particularly concerned at the reported excessive use of force by the
authorities in response to protests. We therefore reiterate the High
Commissioner's call to the Government to ensure that people are not penalised
for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression
and for sustained and inclusive, peaceful dialogue based on Venezuela's human
rights obligations. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
remains available to support efforts to this end.
_________________________________________________________
----- Original Message -----
From: WUNRN
LISTSERVE
To: WUNRN ListServe
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 10:36 AM
Subject: Venezuela - Women March for Peace
WUNRN
VENEZUELA - WOMEN MARCH FOR PEACE
Women
from all backgrounds rally in Caracas from Plaza Morelo to el Calvario to
demand the end of violence in the country. A wave of violence and protests has
swept the country after students where arrested during a peaceful march in
Merida.
