Venezuelan Lawmakers Declare UN Human Rights Chief Persona Non Grata
The Venezuelan National Assembly has officially declared the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, as persona non grata, accusing him of biased intervention in the country’s internal affairs. The resolution, passed with a majority vote, calls for his removal and demands that UN Human Rights vacate its office in Caracas.
Lawmakers criticized Türk’s recent reports on human rights abuses in Venezuela, alleging exaggeration and political partiality that undermine national sovereignty. The resolution also cites disagreements over assessments of judicial independence, press freedom, and humanitarian conditions, claiming that the UN actions “victimise” the state by focusing unfair scrutiny on government institutions.
In response, the UN described the decision as “deeply regrettable” but reaffirmed its commitment to continuing monitoring and reporting on Venezuela’s human rights environment. Diplomats caution that the move will isolate Venezuela from international human rights dialogue and could hinder access to humanitarian assistance programs.
The declaration reflects ongoing tensions between Venezuela’s government and international bodies over oversight and accountability. It signals a sharp escalation in Caracas’s stance toward external human rights mechanisms as the country faces mounting scrutiny.
With input from Al Jazeera.
