July 31, 2024 – The undersigned international organizations condemn the lack of transparency in the announced results of the July 28 presidential elections in Venezuela. This lack of clarity raises serious concerns about the impartiality and integrity of the elections, leading to widespread doubts about the credibility of the claim that Venezuelans granted Nicolás Maduro a third presidential term. Given this situation, the international community must insist that Venezuelan authorities immediately ensure and facilitate an independent verification process of the election results.
On July 28, Venezuelans participated massively and peacefully in the presidential elections, demonstrating an inspiring commitment to democratic principles. This occurred despite the fact that the electoral process was severely marred by human rights violations and irregularities, including the detention of opposition members, arbitrary disqualifications of opposition candidates, arbitrary restrictions imposed on Venezuelans voting abroad and on young people, and efforts to further restrict civic space. The Venezuelan people deserve elections where every vote is accurately and transparently counted.
Based on the right of the Venezuelan people to participate in fair elections, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) should immediately:
- Make all tally sheets available to all Venezuelan citizens and to national and international election observers as required by Venezuelan law. The CNE must publish the data by state, municipality, parish, voting center, and polling station; and review potential discrepancies in the results of the public records.
- Complete the electoral audit and citizen verification processes as required by law, in order to reconcile the voting receipts with the data recorded in the tally sheet issued by each polling station. The audit must be public and the process verifiable.
Until these conditions are met and the right of the Venezuelan people to transparent information about the electoral process is respected, the international community should refrain from recognizing the announced result. Governments, international, and regional intergovernmental organizations should use all diplomatic tools at their disposal to urge Venezuelan authorities to conduct a fair and transparent vote count that respects the right of Venezuelans to vote in elections that “guarantee the free expression of the will of the voters” and to effectively choose their political future.
Additionally, as the only internationally accredited technical observation missions by the CNE, the Carter Center and the UN Panel of Electoral Experts, must have access to all information on the electoral process to proceed with their impartial reports in accordance with the memorandums of understanding agreed upon by each organization with Venezuelan authorities.
If Venezuelan authorities fail to guarantee a full and transparent report of the electoral results, as required by Venezuelan law, they risk losing vital channels of diplomatic engagement and renewed regional and international isolation, with potentially severe consequences for Venezuelans inside and outside the country.
Between July 26 and 29, local organizations reported documenting more than 130 arbitrary detentions, as well as confirmed and potentially illegal homicides. These detentions have occurred in a context of harassment, persecution, and criminalization that marked the electoral campaign.
Lastly, we call for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained, respect for due process guarantees, and the non-criminalization of opposition leaders and citizens exercising their right to peaceful protest. We also urge the utmost respect for their rights to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, personal liberty and security, and freedom of movement.
Signed by:
Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF)
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL)
CIVICUS
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P)
International Commission of Jurists
World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
International Service for Human Rights
Race & Equality
Endorsement:
Apuesta Solidaria AC – México
Asociación Intercultural de Derechos Humanos (ASIDEHU) – Costa Rica
Asociación Paz y Esperanza – Perú
Asociación Pro Derechos Humanos (APRODEH) – Perú
Asociación Pro-Búsqueda – El Salvador
Centro de Derechos Humanos Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez – México
Centro de Estudios de Derecho, Justicia y Sociedad Dejusticia – Colombia
Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS) – Argentina
Centro de Políticas Públicas y Derechos Humanos – Perú Equidad- Perú
Centro de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos (Promsex) – Perú
Centro Regional de Derechos Humanos y Justicia de Género – Corporación Humanas – Chile
CISAS – Costa Rica
CIVILIS – Venezuela
Colectivo de Derechos Humanos Nicaragua Nunca Más – Nicaragua
Conectas Direitos Humanos – Brasil
Consultoría para los Derechos Humanos y el Desplazamiento (CODHES) – Colombia
Equipo de Reflexión, Investigación y Comunicación – Honduras
Equipo Jurídico por los Derechos Humanos – Honduras
Fundación Étnica Integral – Republica Dominicana
Instituto de Defensa Legal (IDL) – Perú
Mesa Nacional para las Migraciones y Refugiados en la República Dominicana (MENAMIRD) – República Dominicana
Movimiento Autónomo de Mujeres – Nicaragua
Observatorio Venezolano de Prisiones – Venezuela
Oficina Jurídica para la Mujer – Bolivia
Plataforma Internacional contra la Impunidad – Guatemala
Red para la Infancia y la Adolescencia de El Salvador (RIA) – El Salvador
Tejiendo Redes Infancia en América Latina y el Caribe – Regional
Vicaría de Derechos Humanos de Caracas – Venezuela