Resolution No. 46/24
PM 862-24 - María Andreina Oropeza Camacho, Venezuela

On August 10, 2024, the IACHR granted precautionary measures in favor of María Andreina Oropeza Camacho, after considering that she is in a serious and urgent situation presenting a risk of irreparable harm to her rights in Venezuela. The requesting party alleged that María Andreina Oropeza Camacho, state coordinator of the campaign command of presidential candidate Edmundo González, has been in a situation of “forced disappearance” since August 6, 2024, after having suffered an allegedly arbitrary search of her residence by agents of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). It was reported that she managed to record and broadcast live, from her social networks, when the State agents raided her residence. Later, her phone was confiscated. They add that her mother has been looking for her in all the detention centers in Guanare and Acarigua, without receiving news of her whereabouts and state of health. The IACHR took into account that the beneficiary was deprived of her liberty by State agents and her whereabouts are unknown to date, in the context of repression during the post-election protests in the country. In accordance with Article 25 of the Rules of Procedure, it requested that Venezuela:

1. adopt the necessary measures to protect the rights to life and personal integrity of María Andreina Oropeza Camacho. In particular, inform whether the beneficiary is in the custody of the State and her current circumstances, or provide information on the measures aimed at determining her whereabouts or fate, and
2. report on the actions taken in order to investigate the alleged facts that gave rise to the adoption of this precautionary measure, so as to prevent them from reoccurring.

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Resolution No. 31/24
PM 288-24 - Joel Antonio García Hernández, Venezuela

On May 13, 2024, the IACHR granted precautionary measures in favor of Joel Antonio García Hernández, lawyer and human rights defender, who has been suffering threats and aggression related to his work in defense of people considered “political prisoners” in Venezuela. Despite having filed complaints and requests for protection to the internal authorities, no protection measures have been implemented by State bodies to prevent further attacks, and no progress has been made in the investigations. For its part, the State, although informed, has not submitted a response. The Commission, after evaluating the allegations, as well as the context of hostility in the country against legal defenders and the lack of response from the State, understands, prima facie, that the requirements of seriousness, urgency, and irreparable harm are present.

In accordance with Article 25 of the Rules of Procedure, the Commission requests that Venezuela:

1. adopt the necessary measures to protect the rights to life and personal integrity of Joel Antonio García Hernández, in accordance with the applicable international standards and obligations, including acts of risk attributable to third parties;
2. implement the necessary measures so that the beneficiary can carry out his work as a defense lawyer without being subjected to acts of intimidation, threats, or other acts of violence in the exercise thereof;
3. consult and agree upon the measures to be adopted with the beneficiary and his representatives; and
4. report on the actions taken to investigate the alleged facts that led to the adoption of this precautionary measure, so as to prevent them from reoccurring.

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Resolution No. 26/24( EXTENSION AND FOLLOW-UP )
PM 438-15 - Members of the Venezuelan Program of Education-Action on Human Rights (PROVEA) , Venezuela

On April 29, 2024, the IACHR decided to follow up and extend precautionary measures in favor of members of the Venezuelan Program of Education-Action on Human Rights in Venezuela. According to the request, the members of PROVEA are at risk in the context of their work as human rights defenders in the current situation of Venezuela, considering the visibility of the institution and its coordinators, the frequent stigmatizing remarks made by high-ranking State authorities in the media, and the surveillance and monitoring by State agents. Consequently, under the terms of Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR decided to require that Venezuela:

1. adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the life and personal integrity of the persons identified as members of the PROVEA team;
2. adopt the necessary measures so that the beneficiaries can carry out their activities as human rights defenders without being subjected to acts of violence, threats, and harassment;
3. consult and agree upon the measures to be adopted with the beneficiaries and their representatives; and
4. report on the actions taken to investigate the alleged facts that led to these precautionary measures, so as to prevent them from reoccurring.

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