Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Venezuela: UN says evidence of 'crimes against humanity' by Nicolas Maduro's security forces

Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein pledges criminal investigation into military crackdown in response to protests over curbs to democratic freedom

Stephanie Nebehay
Monday 11 September 2017 04:54 EDT
Comments
A woman argues with riot police in Caracas, Venezuela, on 4 August 2017
A woman argues with riot police in Caracas, Venezuela, on 4 August 2017 (Andres Martinez Casares/Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The United Nations (UN) human rights chief has warned that the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro may move to further crush democratic institutions and that crimes against humanity may have already been committed by his security forces.

“My investigation suggests the possibility that crimes against humanity may have been committed, which can only be confirmed by a subsequent criminal investigation,” Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein told the UN Human Rights Council, which Venezuela's foreign minister was due to address later in the day.

Last month, Zeid's office said that Venezuela's security forces had committed extensive and apparently deliberate human rights violations in crushing anti-government protests and that democracy was “barely alive”.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in