WHEREAS, the systematic abuse by the Nicolás Maduro regime persists in the country, such as physical and verbal aggressions, threats and arbitrary detentions, as well as disinformation, lack of transparency and censorship against journalism;
WHEREAS, the quality of life of Venezuelans has worsened, social conflict has escalated, and police forces are trampling on citizen protest;
WHEREAS, the military and police prevent the free movement of journalists; mobile press units are attacked, reporters are kidnapped, threatened, assaulted and their phones are stolen;
WHEREAS, journalistic practice and opinions on social networks are criminalized, and websites, web pages, and telephone service of numerous media and journalists were blocked;
WHEREAS, in a period of less than 10 days, SEBIN twice raided the daily newspaper Correo del Caroní, and held its director - David Natera Febres - for several hours; on October 14, the offices of the website 15minutos.com, owned by David José Natera Biliangieri - Natera Febres' son - were also raided;
WHEREAS, Principle 1 of the Chapultepec Declaration states: "There are no free people or societies without freedom of speech and press. The exercise of these freedoms is not granted by authorities; it is an inalienable right of the people."
THE 76TH IAPA GENERAL ASSEMBLY RESOLVES
To condemn the systematic violation of freedom of expression and press by the Nicolás Maduro regime
To demand an end to the persecution of journalists and media, arbitrary arrests, attacks and the criminalization of independent journalistic activity.
