ADDICKS: Independence of the judiciary under threat in Venezuela
Press release from FDP*
24.03.05 | BERLIN. Development aid politician Karl ADDICKS, the FDP parliamentary group's expert on Latin America, sees the independence of the judiciary under threat in Venezuela:
The way in which the Venezuelan judiciary is acting against oppositional politicians, business representatives, and journalists is cause for concern. The public prosecutor's office and the Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia) are increasingly acting like the long arm of the government. Press freedom is also endangered as unpopular journalists are being persecuted. President Chávez is obviously trying to consolidate the democratic institutional powers. The international community needs to keep a watchful eye on developments in Venezuela, and to engage itself in helping the country return to democracy.
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