| AI INDEX: AMR 53/003/2002 12 April 2002 |
12 April 2002
AI Index AMR 53/003/2002 - News Service Nr. 66
It is vital that the crisis unfolding does not
undermine the rule of law and that fundamental
human rights are guaranteed, Amnesty International
said today after the tragic events in Venezuela
yesterday shocked the world.
The organization vigorously condemns the killing
of at least 11 protestors and injuring of over 100
others in the mass demonstration against Hugo
Chávez's presidency yesterday. Supporters of the
ousted President were allegedly responsible for
some of the killings while others demonstrators
were reportedly shot by members of the National
Guard.
"The killing and injuring of protestors is a gross
violation of human rights and must be thoroughly
investigated by the authorities to ensure that all
those responsible are brought to justice," Amnesty
International said. "It is vital that yesterday's
events are fully clarified to establish the chain
of command responsibility that led to the deaths
and injuries of so many people."
"It is also imperative that constitutional
safeguards and fundamental human rights are not
violated in the search for those responsible," the
organization added.
After removing their support for ex-president
Chávez, and demanding his resignation and that of
his government, the Armed Forces established and
military-civilian government, with leader of the
business association, Fedecamaras, Pedro Carmona,
as the interim president of the country." This
government must publicly commit itself to to
protect human rights and other constitutional
guarantees," said Amnesty International.
Background
Hugo Chávez, an ex-army paratrooper, was reelected
president in 2000 on a radical populist platform
with a landslide victory. However, in the last
year his popularity began to slide and opposition
to his political agenda increased.
On 9 April 2002 unions and the business
associations, Fedecamaras, called a
national strike, which on 11 April was made
indefinite. A mass demonstration calling for
Chávez's resignation was called for 12 April.
According to reports over 150,000 demonstrators
took part. During the protest, a group of gunmen,
identified as members of Chávez's political
movement, reportedly opened fire on demonstrators.
Nearer the Presidential palace civilian gunmen
reportedly shot at protestors and members of the
National Guard, Guardia Nacional,
reportedly also opened fire on demonstrators. Ex-president
Chávez has been accused of ordering the violence.
The armed forces reportedly withdrew support for
Hugo Chávez in response to the violence and the
apparent intention of the ex-president to order
the security forces to take further steps to
disperse the demonstration. Hugo Chávez was taken
by the heads of the armed forces to the military
barracks, Fuerte Tiuna, where he reportedly
signed his resignation and dismissed his
government, including the Vice-president. Reports
indicate he is being held in the barracks.