His Excellency President Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías
President of the República Bolivariana de Venezuela
Palacio de Mira Flores
Urdenetta
Caracas 1010
Venezuela

Dear President Chávez:

I am writing to express our grave concern for the safety of human rights defenders in Venezuela. We understand that Venezuela is experiencing a period of political turmoil. As you probably know, human rights defenders have, historically, been at particular risk of violent attack during times of political strife.

I have been advised that Dr. Liliana Ortega, Director of COFAVIC, a respected Caracas-based nongovernmental organization that promotes and protects human rights, received an anonymous threat yesterday. The anonymous caller instructed Dr. Ortega to stop what she is doing "because we, the revolutionaries, are capable of anything and, if they [COFAVIC] want blood, blood will flow."

Given the current political context in Venezuela and the recent eruption of violence that resulted in the killing and wounding of numerous persons, I believe that the threat against Dr. Ortega must be taken very seriously.

I urge you to take immediate measures to ensure the safety of Dr. Ortega, as well as the other members of COFAVIC, and to cause the relevant authorities to fully investigate the threat against Dr. Ortega. I also urge you to take a personal interest in ensuring the safety of human rights defenders in Venezuela generally.

In recognition of the crucial importance and undeniable legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a declaration expressing its strong support for their work. (The Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted on December 9, 1998.) One of the primary purposes of this declaration is to encourage states to guarantee the safety and security of human rights defenders.

The declaration calls upon states to take "all necessary measures" to protect human rights defenders from retaliation for their work advancing human rights. It provides, in particular, that state authorities should protect human rights defenders against "violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or other arbitrary action."

Since I am confident that you share my concern for the principles articulated in this declaration, I urge you to offer the members of COFAVIC your firm commitment to their protection. Dr. Liliana Ortega and the other human rights defenders at COFAVIC have demonstrated great courage during this difficult period, and have made important contributions to the advancement of human rights in Venezuela. Your support of their work will be critical to the protection of the human rights of all Venezuelans during the current period of political reconciliation.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

José Miguel Vivanco