Human Rights Council – 47th session

Item 4: Interactive Dialogue: High Commissioner Report on Venezuela

5 July 2021

Australian Statement

Australia continues to hold grave concerns for the human rights of the Venezuelan people. We condemn the ongoing repression and attacks on political actors, human rights defenders, humanitarian organisations, journalists and media workers; the use of arbitrary detention and torture; corruption and lack of judicial independence; and impunity for abuses and human rights violations.

The erosion of democracy by Venezuelan authorities has worsened the impacts of the mounting humanitarian and COVID-19 crises.

Australia continues to recognise and commend Venezuela’s neighbours for their response to the migration crisis caused by conditions in Venezuela.

Australia welcomes the agreement reached by the World Food Program to establish humanitarian operations in Venezuela and calls for authorities to allow humanitarian organisations unhindered access throughout Venezuela, especially to distribute health services and vaccines.

Australia notes Venezuela’s intention to access five million COVID-19 vaccines via the COVAX mechanism and would like to ask the High Commissioner what measures Venezuela has put in place to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are distributed equitably and on a needs-basis, and to safeguard against their use for political control?

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