Venezuela attorney general announces release of 200 detainees amid human rights concerns – JURIST
Venezuelan Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, announced Friday the release of 200 individuals detained in the aftermath of the controversial July 28 presidential elections, which declared Nicolás Maduro the winner amidst allegations of electoral fraud. In an official statement, the Attorney General emphasized that these releases are part of a broader judicial review process, which has now resulted in a total of 733 individuals being released.
The Ministry of Public Prosecution stated that the detentions stemmed from what it described as “grave acts of violence” intended to incite a civil war after the contentious election in which Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner amidst allegations of fraud by opposition groups. According to the statement, these releases were carried out “within the framework of due process” as guaranteed by Venezuela’s Constitution, specifically referencing coordinated efforts under Article 136, which envisions collaboration among public powers to ensure justice and peace.
While the government frames these actions as a commitment to upholding constitutional rights and human dignity, human rights organizations remain critical. Foro Penal, a Venezuelan NGO, has consistently reported systemic violations of constitutional guarantees, citing thousands of ongoing political detentions and allegations of arbitrary arrests. These groups argue that the releases, while significant, do not resolve underlying concerns about the independence of the judiciary or the government’s handling of political dissent. Earlier this year, the UN Independent Fact-Finding Mission raised concerns about widespread repression following the elections, calling for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained individuals.
Article 44 of the Constitution of Venezuela provides for the protection of personal liberty and due process. It prohibits arrests without judicial orders except in cases of blazing offenses. Detainees must also appear before a competent court within 48 hours. However, the continued prevalence of politically motivated arrests raises questions about the consistent application of these constitutional safeguards.
Internationally, Venezuela is bound by treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which strictly prohibits arbitrary detention. Critics argue that the government’s recent actions, including the mass releases, may be more indicative of efforts to address international scrutiny than substantive reforms to judicial practices.
The Attorney General’s statement also underscored ongoing efforts to review additional cases in what he described as a defense of “peace, justice, and human rights.” Observers remain divided on whether these measures mark progress toward addressing systemic issues within Venezuela’s legal and political systems or serve as temporary concessions to mitigate domestic and international criticism.
