IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Issues Protection Measures in Favor of Congresswoman Delsa Jennifer Solórzano Bernal in Venezuela
December 27, 2019
Washington, D.C. - On December 24, 2019, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 66/2019 (link in Spanish) granting precautionary protection measures in favor of Congresswoman Delsa Jennifer Solórzano Bernal, in Venezuela, whom it deems to be at serious, urgent risk of suffering irreparable harm to her human rights.
In reaching its decision, the IACHR considered the allegations that Congresswoman Solórzano has been targeted by harassment and threats since 2017 and the fact that she was recently informed by a lieutenant that someone had attempted to contract him to assassinate her and another congressman. The beneficiary was allegedly publicly accused of having hired someone to kill the person who allegedly sought to assassinate her, which led to a climate of animosity against her. This has taken the form of actions by groups who point her out and harass her when she goes to the Legislative Palace to do her duties there.
According to the information that was provided, there are no
security measures in place for the beneficiary and it was alleged
that the National Guard, which is responsible for security within
the Legislative Palace, is not providing her the appropriate
protection when she is there.
Consequently, in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules of
Procedure, the IACHR requested that the state of Venezuela take the
necessary steps toward guaranteeing her rights to life and personal
integrity and that it report on the actions it takes to investigate
into the allegations and prevent them from being repeated.
The fact that this precautionary measure has been granted and its adoption by the state does not entail a prejudgment on any petition that may eventually be filed before the inter-American system to allege that the rights protected by all applicable instruments have been violated.
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 341/19