[JURIST] The top Venezuelan human rights official on Thursday criticized findings in a report issued by the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). Ombudsman Gabriela Ramirez, Venezuela’s top rights official, said that the report makes unfair characterizations and undermines Venezuelan democracy. Ramirez responded to statistical findings in the report that suggest the perpetuation of undemocratic processes, saying that the data actually show an improved rights record. In a related statement issued Friday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reaffirmed his belief that the IACHR, which has seven members elected by the OAS General Assembly, is an instrument of US imperialism.
Venezuela has long been criticized for rights abuses, allegations that the Chavez government has repeatedly denied. Last year, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) added Venezuela to its “watch list” of countries that limit religious freedom. Also last year, the US State Department criticized Venezuela for press restrictions in its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. In 2008, Venezuelan officials ordered two senior Human Rights Watch (HRW) staff to leave the country after the group released a report concluding that democracy and human rights have suffered during the Chavez administration.