Civil society asks Brazil for a stance on the disappearance of Venezuelan Carlos Correa

Carlos Correa, director of Espacio Público, has disappeared amidst the increased human rights violations in Venezuela after the July 28 election

Foto: Reprodução/Redes Sociais Espacio Público

Civil society organizations have issued a joint letter for the Brazilian government to take a stance in response to the disappearance of Carlos Correa, social communicator, researcher and executive director of the Venezuelan organization Espacio Público.

The human rights defender was last seen in downtown Caracas, on January 7th, at around 05:00 p.m. (local time). Witnesses have stated that Correa was approached by hooded individuals, possibly state officials. Since then, his whereabouts have been unknown.

Correa’s disappearance occurred amidst the escalation of human rights violations in the country, particularly after the disputed presidential election on July 28th. According to the United Nations’ International Fact-checking Mission in Venezuela, arbitrary arrests and forced disappearances have increased considerably during and after the election period.

In this context, the Mission investigated roughly 39 arbitrary arrests, 29 disappearances in the period before the elections and 27 cases after the results were disclosed.

The undersigned organizations express their deep concern with Carlos Correa’s disappearance. According to his relatives, he required constant medical supervision, which increases concerns regarding his state. The signatory organizations ask the international community for action, particularly the Brazilian government, so it may compel the authorities for clarification and accountability regarding the disappearance of Carlos Correa and other violations perpetrated against members of the opposition, demonstrators, communicators, and human rights defenders in the last few months.

On January 8th, a request was submitted to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs so it would issue an official statement expressing concern with these events.

There have been other recent situations of disappearances and arbitrary arrests of individuals critical of the Venezuelan government, including journalists. According  to the ARTICLE 19 International Global Expression Report, Venezuela is the only country in South America rated as being in a “crisis” when it comes to the exercise of freedom of expression. These episodes have shed light on the urgency of obtaining international monitoring and concrete attitudes to curtail the escalation of repression.

We express our solidarity to Espacio Público, relatives and colleagues of Carlos Correa and demand that the Venezuelan government take immediate action to locate him and ensure his safety and well-being, implementing effective measures to protect demonstrators, communicators, and human rights defenders in the country.

The disappearance of human rights defenders is a serious violation of fundamental rights and an affront to freedom of expression and the rule of law.

Signatories of the Letter:

ARTICLE 19 (Brazil and South America Regional Office)

Brazil Office Association

Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ)

Conectas Direitos Humanos

Human Rights Watch

Electoral Transparency in Brazil

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)