CARACAS: President Nicolas Maduro announced on Tuesday that a United Nations (UN) human rights office would begin operating in Venezuela once again, after it was suspended and its staff ordered to leave in February.
Maduro is facing criticism at home and abroad over his leftist government’s human rights record as he cracks down on dissent while seeking a third term, according to AFP. He has drawn particular criticism for preventing the most popular opposition leader from running against him in July polls he had pledged would be free and fair.
Maduro made the announcement Tuesday alongside Karim Khan, head of the International Criminal Court (ICC), who is probing Venezuela for possible crimes against humanity. Standing next to Khan at the presidential palace in Caracas, Maduro said that he had received the proposal to once again invite the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to our nation. The president said that he agreed and was ready to overcome differences and end the conflict.
ICC Head Praises Venezuela Government Move
ICC Head Praises Venezuela Government Move Khan commended the move, expressing gratitude to Maduro for committing to this initiative. The order for the UN agency to leave Venezuela within seventy-two hours came in February. This action occurred two days after authorities detained prominent activist Rocio San Miguel, sparking a global outcry.
