New Delhi: The UN human rights office has warned that recent US military action in Venezuela has made countries worldwide less safe and undermined international law, rejecting Washington’s justification that the intervention was necessary because of Venezuela’s human rights record.
Speaking in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the operation violated the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law, including the prohibition on the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of a sovereign State. She stressed that accountability for grave abuses cannot be achieved through unilateral military action, arguing that such interventions weaken the global security framework rather than protect human rights, as reported by UN News.
Shamdasani echoed warnings previously made by the UN Secretary-General, saying the intervention contravened Venezuelan sovereignty and damaged the architecture of international security. She emphasized that the Venezuelan people have endured human rights violations for years and deserve justice through fair, victim-centred and lawful processes.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was expelled from Venezuela in February 2024 after repeatedly reporting on worsening conditions in the country. Independent investigations mandated by the Human Rights Council have documented serious and ongoing violations against political opponents and critics of the ruling authorities, the UN News reported.
Concerns have intensified following the declaration of a state of emergency in Venezuela after the US action. Measures introduced include restrictions on freedom of movement, the seizure of property for national defence and the suspension of the right to protest and assemble. Shamdasani warned that, given the government’s history of suppressing dissent under the guise of national security, further militarization could aggravate an already dire situation.
Beyond the political crisis, the humanitarian outlook remains bleak. Nearly eight million Venezuelans — about one in four people — currently need humanitarian assistance after years of economic collapse, repression and instability, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). A response plan requiring roughly $600 million is in place, but Venezuela remains among the least-funded aid operations globally, the UN News said.