A/HRC/54/61 United Nations actors85 on the growing number of restrictive regulations for civil society actors that have impacted their ability and willingness to carry out their work, including their cooperation with the United Nations. The High Commissioner for Human Rights shared with the Human Rights Council the concerns sparked by the tabling of the bill noting that he had provided detailed observations to the authorities.86 Experts of the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian republic of Venezuela87 noted the lack of precision of the bill (Article 13 national sovereignty or Article 15 on the prohibition of “political activities”) and expressed concern that it may negatively affect organisations engaged in documentation work that fed into the investigations of the Fact-Finding Mission and other international bodies. They further noted that civil society organisations were exposed to permanent surveillance through possible checks. 117. From 26 to 28 January 2023, the High Commissioner of Human Rights visited Venezuela and met with over 125 members of civil society, human rights defenders, victims of human rights violations and representatives of victims’ organizations. 88 According to information received by OHCHR, State actors intimidated two men trade unionists and a woman human rights defender following their meetings, or attempts to meet, with the High Commissioner during his visit. 118. Specifically, on 26 January 2023, members of the Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM) threatened Mr. Douglas Gonzalez, a trade unionist, that his non-custodial measures, linked to his participation in protests in 2018, would be revoked should he travel to Caracas to meet with the High Commissioner. As a result, he decided not to travel. On 8 February 2023, a second male trade unionist received information that a staterun company had opened an inquiry to bring charges against him in connection with the complaints he had raised with the High Commissioner. Names and details of those concerned are withheld due to fear of further reprisals. 119. On 27 January 2023, Ms. María Fernanda Rodríguez, a director of a local NGO and university professor, was detained and questioned following her meeting with the High Commissioner and released later that day following OHCHR’s intervention. She was reportedly interrogated by the Bureau for Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigations (Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas, Cicpc) about the meeting and informed of a pre-existing arrest warrant against her (dated 2020), of which she had not been officially notified. At the time, the authorities informed OHCHR that Ms Rodriguez had been mistakenly detained without an official order, and that she had therefore been released shortly thereafter. Her detention and uncertainty around her legal status have significantly affected Ms. Rodriguez, who lives in fear for herself and her family due to perceived ongoing surveillance. OHCHR is following her situation in close contact with relevant authorities. 120. On the evening of 7 March 2023, at “El 104” checkpoint in Rosario del Perijá Municipality, Zulia State, members of the Guardia Nacional Bolivariana reportedly stopped a delegation of approximately 38 Yukpa indigenous leaders and their relatives (20 men, 13 women, 15 boys and five girls) traveling to Caracas to meet with OHCHR, among other interlocutors. A high-ranking public official reportedly obstructed their trip to the capital by stating they did not have the right to meet with OHCHR. That evening, members of the Guardia Nacional Bolivariana were reportedly deployed in the location causing fear among the delegation that they would be arrested, and they decided to return to Machiques that night. 121. On 13 September 2022, special procedures mandate holders addressed allegations of arbitrary arrest of, and charges against several trade unionists, including Mr. Emilio Negrín Borges leader of the court workers’ union (sindicato de trabajadores tribunalicios) and 85 86 87 88 40 A/HRC/47/55 para. 47; A/HRC/50/59 paras. 52–53; VEN 6/2019; VEN 5/2020; VEN 8/2021; see Government responses at: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=34948, https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=36433. https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2023/03/turk-updates-human-rights-council-situation-venezuela. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/01/venezuela-draft-ngo-law-reaching-point-no-returnclosure-civic-space. https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2023/01/un-high-commissioner-human-rights-volker-turkconcludes-official-mission. GE.23-15378