Latin America
Related: About this forumLatest Human Rights Watch Report: 30 Lies about Venezuela
By Tamara Pearson
Source: Venezuelanalysis.com
January 28, 2014
"In the six pages that HRW dedicates to Venezuela in its World Report 2014, released this week, it manages to tell at least 30 serious lies, distortions, and omissions. Pointing out these lies is important, because many people believe that HRW is a neutral authority on human rights, and the mainstream press publish articles and headlines based on HRW report conclusions. Here are some of the headlines in both English and Spanish (translated to English) that have come out of the 2014 report:
Global Post Venezuela intimidates opponents, media: HRW report , PanAm Post Human Rights Watch: A black eye for Latin America , AFP HRW criticises Venezuela in its annual report on human rights, El Economista HRW: Democracy in Venezuela is fictitious, El Universal Human Rights Watch report denounces persecution of media in Venezuela, El Siglo Human Rights Watch: Venezuela is an example of fictitious democracies, El Colombiano: HRW describes Venezuela as a fictitious democracy , NTN24 HRW warns that Venezuelan government applies arbitrary measures against media that is critical of its policies
The headlines which talk about a fictitious or feigned democracy, are referring to the start of the report, where HRW put Venezuela, along with other countries, under the category of abusive majoritarianism. There, HRW provides a very limited definition of democracy; periodic elections, the rule of law, and respect for the human rights of all and argues that Venezuela has adopted the form but not the substance of democracy. HRW cites Diosdado Cabello not letting legislators who didnt recognise democratically elected President Maduro speak in parliament yet the punishment seems soft, considering the crime.
Below, Ive grouped the lies and omissions according to HRWs own subheadings in its chapter on Venezuela. Unlike with other countries such as the US, HRW omits all of Venezuelas human rights achievements in its assessment, and in reality a range of other subheadings would be deserving, such has right to have access to housing, peoples right to be consulted about policy, right of the poorer people to be heard in the media, right to education, the right to health care, to land, and so on. Of course, nowhere in the report does HRW mention the economic crimes committed by the business sector against Venezuelans right to access affordable goods (hoarding, speculation, etc)."
15 lies and distortions:
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15 omissions:
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Rest of article: http://zcomm.org/znetarticle/latest-human-rights-watch-report-30-lies-about-venezuela/
Socialistlemur
(770 posts)I don't see anything wrong with the Human Rights Watch statement about Venezuela. It's spot on. The Venezuelan regime is quite abusive. Furthermore, one could argue its run by the Cuban dictatorship.
polly7
(20,582 posts)Marksman_91
(2,035 posts)polly7
(20,582 posts)since first learning of their lies re Libya and now verify with other sources anything and everything they report.
Judi Lynn
(160,217 posts)No exceptions, to my knowledge.
Has something to do with whom they're serving.
Occasionally they'll take a slightly independent step to try to "maintain" the appearance of independence.
I'm really looking forward to diving into this material you've posted today. Thank you, so much. I'm certain it will be something to keep for later reference.
polly7
(20,582 posts)In reply, I used a link for a thread in which you provided some great information, and thank you for that.
Judi Lynn
(160,217 posts)Love it when someone breaks loose and tells the truth. We don't see that a lot, yet. Hope that's all going to change, in OUR lifetimes.
Thank you for adding it.