High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk presented updates to the Human Rights Council, highlighting that the situation in Venezuela has worsened since June. He noted increased repression of civic space, arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, and growing socio-economic challenges. Recent legislation granting expanded emergency powers remains unpublished, protecting authorities from scrutiny.
Türk warned of increased militarization in public life, with reports of forced recruitment into the Bolivarian militia and state-sponsored surveillance tactics. Such measures foster fear, distrust, and self-censorship. Human rights defenders, journalists, opposition figures, and aid workers face threats, exile, and arbitrary detention.
Türk expressed concern over detention conditions, including food and medicine shortages, denial of family visits, and severe health consequences. Despite the release of some detainees since June, he urged the unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained individuals and the cessation of enforced disappearances. He criticized attempts to strip opposition figures of their nationality as violations of international law.
In Ukraine, nearly four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, civilian harm has intensified, with a significant rise in casualties due to missile and drone attacks. Nationwide strikes on energy infrastructure have left millions without essentials as winter looms. Türk condemned human rights abuses and urged both Russia and Ukraine to adhere to international law, emphasizing the need for accountability and an end to hostilities.
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