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PEN International demands that Venezuela end the persecution and arrest of writers opposed to Nicolás Maduro

2021-06-13T02:41:21.045Z


Due to the 'Law of Hate', this year they have already arrested three authors of articles critical of the regime. "It would seem that thinking differently is a crime," says a director of the world organization of writers.


06/11/2021 8:20 PM

  • Clarín.com

  • World

Updated 06/11/2021 8:47 PM

PEN International

, a world organization of writers, urged the Venezuelan authorities to

“put an end to the arbitrary detentions”

of writers and journalists critical

of the Nicolás Maduro

regime

, after the arrest suffered by

Rafael Rattia

for an opinion article published in the newspaper El Nacional of that country.

On Thursday 3 of this month, Rattia was arrested by Monagas state police who

raided his house and confiscated

more than 60 books, a notebook, two telephones and other valuables.

The writer was

arrested for two days

and, according to public information, last Sunday he was

charged with the crime of "incitement to hatred"

for writing and publishing an article on the former Minister of Education, Aristóbulo Istúriz, entitled "The millionaire teacher."

To accuse him, the authorities used the

"Law of Hate"

as a legal instrument

, which promotes punishment for anyone who "encourages, promotes or incites hatred."

"The Venezuelan authorities must put an end to arbitrary detentions, house searches and confiscation of equipment from independent writers and journalists

as a means of silencing critical voices

," said PEN International in a statement.

“These acts of the Venezuelan government

against freedom of expression

are unacceptable.

They become evidence of how the government has expanded its methods of intimidation against independent journalists and authors to silence criticism.

It would seem that thinking differently is a crime in Venezuela

”, warned Salil Tripathi, president of the Committee of Writers in Prison of PEN International.

Rattia was released on criminal charges and his belongings have not been returned.

This is the

third Venezuelan writer arrested this year

by the Maduro regime

after publishing a note or criticism against public officials.

In Venezuela, the Government seeks to silence the voices that criticize Nicolás Maduro.

Photo EFE

In March, Milagros Mata-Gil and Juan Manuel Muñoz had been arrested for writing and disseminating an article.

In 2018, PEN International published the report

“Venezuela: Literature and journalism, an act of resistance”

, which shows the deterioration of freedom of expression and the

growing physical, police, institutional and legal threats that lead to censorship

.

The world organization of writers renewed its request to the Government of Venezuela to:

  • "End the arrests of critical journalists and writers."

  • "Return the belongings to the writer Rafael Rattia and

    release him from the charges

    to which he was charged."

  • "Respect its international obligations to defend fundamental human rights as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights."

  • "

    Respect and guarantee human rights in the country

    , including the rights that protect free expression, protest, assembly and access to information and the internet."

  • "

    Revoke any law that obstructs freedom of expression

    and the right of every Venezuelan citizen to freedom of thought."

  • "

    Refrain from using direct and indirect pressure mechanisms

    designed to silence the work of writers and journalists, in accordance with Principle 13 of the IACHR Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression."

LP

Look also

One by one, the reports on abuses, torture and executions in the Venezuela of Nicolás Maduro

Harsh letter from opponents and intellectuals against the Government's gesture of support for Nicolás Maduro's regime

Source: clarin

All news articles on 2021-06-13

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