On the inauguration of the new session of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) over 20 human rights organizations and networks from the region have signed this statement addressed to all OAS missions through which we express our concern over Venezuela’s decision to denounce the American Convention on Human Rights and to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court. The statement requests that Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza and all OAS Member States carry out all necessary diplomatic efforts to convince Venezuela to reconsider a decision that endangers access to the Inter-American human rights system for thousands of Venezuelans. We hope that this statement encourages the measures needed to bring about an active involvement by the OAS in this issue.
