Freedom of Expression
Press release R169/22
SRFOE condemns the increase of censorship in Venezuela
and reaffirms its support and commitment to the full enjoyment of press freedom
in the country
July 29, 2022
Washington D.C. - Given the persistence of harassment
and increased censorship against journalists in Venezuela, the Office of the
Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) of the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) reaffirms its support for independent
journalism and its commitment to the full exercise of the right to freedom of
expression in the country.
Throughout 2022, the Rapporteur’s Office has continued
to document severe restrictions to the right to freedom of expression in
Venezuela and the persistence of a hostile environment for the exercise of
journalistic work, marked by harassment, persecution, arbitrary detentions, and
stigmatizing accusations against those who investigate and actively participate
in matters of public and political interest. This Office has also been informed
of measures restricting the right to freedom of expression in the digital
environment, for example, blackouts and cuts in Internet service and deliberate
blockades against news portals and other digital platforms. The closures of
media outlets, as well as the seizure of their equipment, directly or
indirectly instrumented by the government, increasingly limit citizens' access
to reliable information from independent sources and have generated zones of
media silence in Venezuela. All these measures have created a general
atmosphere of self-censorship among both the citizenry and the press that
reports on matters of public relevance, such as the human rights crisis in
Venezuela. The Rapporteur’s Office has observed with particular concern the
situation of Venezuelan women journalists, who are the target of gender-based
attacks in the exercise of their profession. As noted by various civil society
organizations, women journalists are increasingly victims of campaigns of
harassment, bullying and stigmatization on social networks, the main effect of
which is to silence them.
The Special Rapporteur’s Office has received numerous
reports on the use of criminal law against journalists for allegedly
intimidating purposes, including figures such as terrorism or treason, in
addition to the continued application of the Anti-Hate Law in a selective and
disproportionate manner. This law orders fines and up to 20 years imprisonment
for any person who disseminates information considered as promotion or
incitement to hatred, discrimination or violence; and grants legal powers to censor
contents that may be protected by international human rights law. According to
information received at the recent public hearing on the situation of freedom
of expression in Venezuela at the 184th Period of Sessions of the IACHR, since
its entry into force in 2017, this law has been used to delegitimize and
criminalize anyone who questions or criticizes government management or persons
exercising public functions. This Office has previously pointed out that the
Anti-Hate Law disregards and suppresses the free exercise of the right to
freedom of thought and expression, and that it should be rendered null and
void.
The right to freedom of expression is one of the
fundamental pillars to protect democracy and the rule of law. The Special Rapporteur’s
Office has insisted on other occasions that journalism is called to be
exercised as a function of democracy and human rights, just as democracy must
seek to be accompanied by professional journalism. It is the duty of States to
provide the necessary guarantees so that journalists can exercise their
profession freely, independently, and safely.
The Rapporteur’s Office condemns the attacks and
reprisals perpetrated from governmental spheres against the press and urges the
State of Venezuela to respect and guarantee the right to freedom of expression,
particularly of those who contribute with their work to the strengthening of
public deliberation and freedom of expression, such as journalists and
communicators. The Special Rapporteur’s Office also invites the international
community to redouble its efforts to accompany and support the work of
Venezuelan journalists, and to continue working to promote and restore full
guarantees for the exercise of freedom of expression in Venezuela.
See
here the Joint Declaration on freedom of expression in Venezuela
signed by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection
of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, and the Special
Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human
Rights of the OAS, Pedro Vaca Villarreal, on August 30, 2022.
The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of
Expression is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on Human
Rights (IACHR) to stimulate the hemispheric defense of the right to freedom of
thought and expression, considering its fundamental role in the consolidation
and development of the democratic system.
R169/22