The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights expressed "deep concern over the use of the punitive power of the State to criminalize human rights advocates, judicialize peaceful social protests, and persecute through the criminal system persons the authorities consider political opponents in Venezuela."

The OAS human rights watchdog issued the statement in reference to the recent arrest of the former presidential candidate Oswaldo Alvarez Paz for statements he made to a TV channel, and the trial against Judge María Lourdes Afiuni.

In a press release, the IACHR reiterated what had it already stated in it is report about the situation of human rights in Venezuela. "The lack of independence and autonomy of the judiciary with respect to the political branches constitutes one of the weakest points of democracy in Venezuela, a situation that seriously hinders the free exercise of human rights in Venezuela."

Source: ElUniversal.com