Venezuela Rejects Turk’s Views on Anti-Hate Speech Rules and NGO Regulation

Venezuelan FM Yvan Gil, 2024. Photo: X/ @consVECanarias

August 14, 2024 Hour: 10:19 am

The UN Commissioner’s statements whitewash violent groups that attacked the people’s peace and tranquility.

On Wednesday, the Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement rejecting the opinions expressed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, on the legal creation processes that Bolivarian legislators are carrying out by virtue of their constitutional powers. The statement is presented below:

“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela strongly rejects the harsh statements made by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, in which he dares to comment on the legislative initiatives of the Venezuelan National Assembly regarding the regulation of Non-Governmental Organizations and the fight against hate speech, as well as the eradication of fascism and Nazism as political expressions contrary to constitutional principles.

Mr. Turk reveals his true intentions and assumes the role he was placed in within the United Nations system by imperial powers, acting as an accuser against the Bolivarian government while whitewashing the violent groups that attacked the peace and tranquility of Venezuelans, killing innocents, setting fire to schools, hospitals, political party offices, and public community spaces, in clear violation of human rights.

The High Commissioner deliberately omits condemnation of these events, of which he has sufficient and detailed information, violating his mandate and choosing to side with those promoting a coup d’état, which is a serious breach of the responsibilities inherent to his position.

The Bolivarian government is certain that it is not Mr. Turk’s ignorance that drives him to overlook the fact that the vast majority of countries around the world, on all continents, have developed laws to protect their people from the evils of fascism and Nazism, as well as significant legal frameworks to regulate the functions of NGOs, which in many cases represent dark interests seeking to undermine the well-being of the people above the duties of States.

Venezuela reiterates its call for the High Commissioner to desist from his provocative and irresponsible behavior, cease his brutal attack on Venezuelan institutions, and side with the victims of far-right violence, who, using fascist methods, have sought to inflict harm on the Venezuelan population.