A/HRC/42/30
with OHCHR during the visit suffered acts of intimidation and reprisals. OHCHR raised
allegations of individual cases with the Government.
112. On 16 March 2019, the house of Dr. Ronnie Villasmil, who had engaged with
OHCHR on 14 March 2019 during their visit to the Enrique Tejera Hospital in the state of
Carabobo, was searched without a warrant by members of the Cuerpo de Investigaciones
Científicas Penales y Criminalísticas (CICIPC). The CICIPC official reportedly left a
subpoena to present himself to the police of the state of Carabobo. When asked about the
incident, the Government explained that there was a complaint against Dr. Villasmil filed
by a staff member of the hospital.
113. On 13 March 2019, OHCHR visited the Centro Nacional de Procesados Militares de
Ramo Verde, a military detention center and a number of inmates approached the team and
told them about detention conditions. A few days later, OHCHR was informed that family
visits had been restricted for some of those who cooperated with the team.
114. On 14 March, Mr. Marlon Jesús Díaz Golindano, leader of a student movement from
the University of Carabobo, tried to speak with OHCHR’s team during their visit to Central
Hospital of Valencia but a group of pro-government armed individuals (colectivos armados)
physically attacked him and threatened him not to speak with OHCHR. On 17 March 2019,
OHCHR visited the Dr. Pasto Oropeza Ribera Hospital accompanied by Dr. Maria
Auxiliadora Castillo and Dr. Amarante Anza Maldonado. On 21 March 2019, both doctors
received a notification that, as of 1 April 2019, they were to be beneficiaries of (early)
retirement, which neither of them had requested.
115. On 25 March 2019, following the oral update of the High Commissioner,104
disparaging statements were made on the pro-government news portal Aporrea against
individuals and organizations who had cooperated with OHCHR during their visit. Those
affected included the Observatorio Venezolano de Conflictividad Social, Ms. Liliana
Ortega of Comité de Familiares de Víctimas de los Sucesos de Febrero-Marzo de 1989
(COFAVIC), and Mr. Rafael Uzcátegui of Programa Venezolano de Educación y Acción
en Derechos Humanos (Provea), who were labelled as financed by foreign interests and
accused of disseminating false information.
116. On 8 October 2018, Mr. Fernando Albán of the Primero Justicia party died in
custody in Caracas. In September 2018, Mr. Albán had travelled to New York where he
participated in meetings with diplomatic delegations to the UN attending the General
Assembly as part of a delegation of members of the party. He took part in meetings about
possible UN-led initiatives to address the human rights situation in Venezuela, in particular
action to be taken, among others, in the Security Council.
117. On Friday 5 October 2018, upon arriving at Caracas international airport from New
York, Mr. Albán was taken into custody by members of the Bolivarian National
Intelligence Services (SEBIN) allegedly in connection with the failed assassination attempt
against the President of 4 August 2018. The authorities did not inform Mr. Albán’s family
or lawyers of his detention or whereabouts, and on 8 October 2018, according to official
sources, Mr. Albán killed himself by leaping from the tenth floor of SEBIN’s
administrative headquarters. OHCHR received reports indicating that Mr. Albán’s suicide
was unlikely, including related to the restrictions of movement applied to prisoners under
the custody of SEBIN. On 23 November 2018, the Assistant Secretary-General addressed
these allegations in writing.
36.
Viet Nam
118. In August 2018, four special procedures mandate holders expressed concerns at
allegations of torture, interrogation on religious activities and use of social media, as well
as interdiction to report to international human rights organizations, related to Mr. Y Than
Buon Dap, Mr. Y Bhuar Bdap, Mr. Ciêu Bkrông, Mr. Y Khen Nie, and Mr. Y Krit Bdap
104
40
Ibid.