A/HRC/57/60 24. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 167. The case of Mr. Emilio Negrín Borges was included in the 2023181 report of the Secretary-General on allegations of arbitrary arrest and charges following his participation at the first session of the Social Dialogue Forum, which took place in April 2022 in Caracas (VEN 4/2022). 182 Mr. Negrín is the leader of the court workers’ union (Síndicato de Trabajadores Tribunalicios) and representative of the Confederación de Síndicatos Autónomos (CODESA). 168. According to information received by OHCHR, in August 2023, Mr. Negrín and other trade unionists were convicted for the crimes of conspiracy and criminal association based on counter-intelligence reports and were sentenced to 16 years in prison.183 On 20 December 2023, Mr. Negrin and the other trade unionists were conditionally released from prison. At the time of writing, the decision on the appeal of the case, expected for February 2024, was yet to be rendered. 169. The case of Ms. Karen Caruci, a human rights lawyer, was included in the 2022 and 2023 reports of the Secretary-General184 on allegations of re-arrest and police questioning about her engagement with the United Nations. Ms. Caruci was granted conditional release in March 2022. According to information received by OHCHR, a trial against State security agents reportedly responsible for acts of torture and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment against Ms. Caruci is ongoing and subject to considerable delays. With regards to the trial on the charge of incitement to hatred brought against Ms. Caruci by the Attorney General, at the time of writing, the first hearing had yet to take place. This situation has reportedly contributed to the deterioration of Ms. Caruci’s overall well-being, including physical and mental health, and has impacted her financially due to the high expenses incurred for her defense. 170. According to information received by OHCHR, during the period, several NGOs and their staff included in previous reports of the Secretary-General185 continued to be exposed to digital attacks and to stigmatisation by Government-affiliated online accounts in connection to their engagement with United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms. The NGOs concerned are Provea, the Observatorio Venezolano de Conflictividad Social (OVCS) and Foro Penal. These NGOs have been portrayed as presenting unfounded, biased and malicious reports in the Human Rights Council aiming to discredit and attack the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela. 171. References to the Bill on the control, regularization, performance, and financing of non-governmental and related organizations186 were included in the 2023 report187 of the Secretary-General noting its impact on the ability of civil society groups to carry out their work, including their cooperation with the United Nations. During the reporting period, mandate holders,188 the International Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela,189 and OHCHR190 continued to express concerns about the bill and urged the Government to refrain from its adoption, which could hinder the delivery of aid and life-saving humanitarian assistance.191 On 9 January 2024, the President of the National Assembly announced a public consultation on the content of the bill to facilitate a second discussion that could ultimately 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 66 A/HRC/54/61, Annex I, paras. 121–122. https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_722456/lang--en/index.htm. A/HRC/54/57, para. 67. See also https://www.ohchr.org/es/press-releases/2023/08/venezuela-unexperts-condemn-use-counter-terrorism-laws-convict-trade. A/HRC/51/47, Annex I para. 77; A/HRC/54/61, Annex II, para. 136. See also VEN 7/2021. A/HRC/39/41, Annex I, para. 119; A/HRC/45/36, para. 121 and Annex II, paras. 137–138; A/HRC/48/28, para. 124 and Annex I, paras. 115–116; A/HRC/51/47, para. 155. Ley de fiscalización, regularización, actuación y financiamiento de las organizaciones no gubernamentales y afines. A/HRC/54/61, Annex I, para. 116. VNZ 2/2023. A/HRC/54/57, para. 109 (e). A/HRC/53/54, para. 68. https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/03/deputy-high-commissioner-updateshuman-rights-council-venezuela. GE.24-14259