Transcript:

Reverend Dean Becker: (00:00)
The failure of drug war is glaringly obvious to judges, cops, wardens, prosecutors, and millions more, now calling for decriminalization, legalization, the end of prohibition. Let us investigate the century of lies. 

Host Doug McVay: (00:18)
Hello, and welcome to Century of Lies. I'm your host, Doug McVeigh. On this edition of Century, Venezuela update. The United Nations Human Rights Council established an independent international fact-finding mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela back in September of 2019. On September 18th, the chair of the fact-finding mission, Sophia Masher, PhD, reported to the council on the mission's findings to date. 

Sophia Masher, PhD: (00:42)
The report contains updates on the human rights situation in Venezuela from 1st September 2025 to thir - to 31st July 2026. The report is accompanied by two session documents. First one examining developments when it comes to the main human rights violations occurring in the context of the mandate of the mission and the continui - and the continuity of the repressive apparatus of the system. The second, the so-called collectivos and the links with the state authorities, the role of the collectivos. Both investigations are com - uh, in line with the mandate of the council. In the reporting period, an extraordinary event occurred, the military intervention by the United States of America on the 3rd of January, which led to the apprehension of President Maduro and opened a new political milestone in the country. The mission described this event as being contrary to international law. With respect to the reporting period between September and December 2025, the findings of the mission confirmed that human rights violations continued taking place at the same scale in line with patterns fully consistent with those documented in previous reports. 

Sophia Masher, PhD: (02:12)
The change in government and political events that occurred since 3rd January have led to observable modifications in the human rights situation. The interim government introduced changes in the cabinet, uh, the highest levels of the armed forces and within the structure and composition of the Supreme Court of Justice. They modified the political discourse, emphasizing messages of na - peace and national reconciliation and adopted measures of political liberalization, uh, which has reactivated public activity in Venezuela. The government opened a process of releases from prison, which was covered by the new amnesty law that was adopted starting at the end of January. The mission detected a significant drop in arbitrary detentions on political grounds, especially those of longer duration as well as, uh, in, of enforced disappearance. The mo - m - the mission recognizes that those qualitative changes do have genuine consequences for many Venezuelan people and families. The names of the persons released have not been made public, and in the absence of transparent verifiable data, the number of people released continues to be uncertain and subject to controversy. 

Sophia Masher, PhD: (03:43)
We estimate that between 800 and 1,000 people were released between September 25 and August 26. President the mission continued to document new arbitrary detentions from 3rd January, at least 17 in the first eight years of this, eight months of this year, according to our estimates. This means a marked reduction compared to the same period last year. Nonetheless, it's been accompanied by an increase in arbitrary de - short-term arbitrary detentions where the authorities have re- recurred to as a form of intimidation against opposition or persons perceived as being opposition, including some who have, who have long been subjected also to longer detentions. This has particular resonance in the context of the widespread abuses committed during the last decade, constituting a powerful reminder to political activists and human rights defenders that their activities are being followed and that the repressive apparatus is still in place. Despite significant releases of detainees in the last eight months, hundreds of people continue to be arbitrarily deprived of freedom, subjected to tough conditions in centers where mistreatment and torture continue to be endemic. 

Sophia Masher, PhD: (05:15)
In the absence of public data, NGOs place up to 500 people, up to 500 detained on political grounds, figures that a reminder of the elect - the conditions between the elections of 2024. The mission's profoundly troubled about the situation regarding the possible continuity of systematic attacks against the population in the sense of article seven of the Rome statute of the ICC. Although certain violations have decreased, the mission continues to document cases of enforced disappearance and deaths of persons in detention or in custody since the 3rd of January. The mission in particular is troubled by the persistence of torture in a number of detention centers in Venezuela. We're concerned in particular by facts that we've documented in that maximum security prison of Rodeo one and in the military prison where there are the highest number of prisoners o - in detention on political grounds are kept. And we've had extensive interviews with persons who've been released. 

Sophia Masher, PhD: (06:32)
This has allowed us to learn more about the frequency of the practice of torture and the nature and especially the, the special cruel practices, methods used in- including methods that the mission had not previously documented. This is what we learned from those interviews. Now the central question in the mission report this year has been if the perceived changes in the political situation and the human rights situation, have they been accompanied by a, any change in the structures that made possible the repression for many years? Thus far, the mission has not found sufficient indicators of a genuine sustainable break When it comes to the government of Maduro and the patterns of repression that characterize that period. On the contrary, we noted that the structure of the rest of apparatus of the state has stayed completely intact. The persistence of the repressive apparatus is manifested in the continuity of the same legal framework that was used 

Sophia Masher, PhD: (07:46)
To coerce the autonomous functioning of operators in the civic and democratic space and the lack of reform in police security intelligence services involved by action or omission in re - in repression, in the lack of accountability for perpetrators of the gravest human rights violations and international crimes, in the continued restrictions on the functioning of civil society organizations, media and political parties. In the harassment that leaders and social activists continue to face, political leaders, and also in the ongoing surveillance and social control that the population is subjected to. Perhaps the best expression that showing that the repressive apparatus is still intact and continues to affect decision making at the highest level is the continuance of the actors who perpetrated repression in the civil and military hierarchies. Uncertainty which currently is present in the country and the limited easily reversible nature of the changes noted is manifested in two events yesterday. 

Sophia Masher, PhD: (08:59)
One, the National Communications Commission announced in the context of political dialogue between government and opposition the restoration, formal restoration of access to various national international media platforms. But at the same time, we found out about the detention of Ja- Javier Opesa, for- former opposition politician. He went into o - exile in 2024. He returned to Venezuela and then was deta - he was, he was released several, a few hours later. In the current cycle, the mission continued investigations into armed civilian groups, these groups that are called Colectivos. We have reasonable grounds to believe that those Collectivos have supported repression through surveillance and through identifying objectives for oppression as well as through their participation in overseeing protests in the security apparatus and in the selective political repressions in a climate of practically complete impunity. At the same time, the everyday presence within communities has allowed them to exercise other forms of control. 

Sophia Masher, PhD: (10:17)
Collectivos participate in the management and distribution of food, fuel, services and social benefits. They oversee political activities and mediate in conflicts through, and this is done through coercion. The mission documented various forms of ties between the Collectivos and the state, including public support from the highest authorities to those armed groups when it comes to resources and financing, the integration of members of the Collectivos i- i- i- in, in, in public institutions and within security entities and also the presence of officials or ex-officials within the, the Collectivos themselves. So the manda - the mission was able to conclude that there's an express implicit overlap of functions related to public order and social control. The Collectivos cannot be considered formal organs of the state. Nonetheless, the mission has reasonable grounds to conclude that certain conduct by members of the Collectivos can be attributed to the state. With inde- independent of attributing a, a ta - a concrete act, a state has an obligation to prevent abuses by those groups, should investigate acts, sanction perpetrators and ensure reparations for the victims. 

Sophia Masher, PhD: (11:44)
President, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela today has an opportunity to move towards genuine change, sustainable change when it comes to human right situation and to make genuine progress in restoring rule of law and democratic governance. What is needed is reform of institutions and laws linked to the political repression of the last decade that the perpetrators of grave international violations should be brought duly to account before the justice system and the victims should be recognized as such and receive compensation. I thank you. 

Host Doug McVay: (12:25)
That was Sophia Maher, PhD, chair of the Independent International Fact Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, reporting on the mission's findings to date at the 63rd session of the UN's Human Rights Council on September 18th. You're listening to Century of Lies. I'm your host, Doug McVeigh. This week we're reporting on the UN Human Rights Council's recent interactive dialogue regarding the situation in Venezuela. This dialogue took place over two days at the UN's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. We just heard a report from the mission's chair at the opening of the dialogue on September 18th. Now let's hear interventions from civil society organizations which were delivered Monday, September 21st. This segment starts with Calisto Avia Rancon with the International Federation for Human Rights Leagues. It concludes with David Gomez from Aula Aberta. 

Calisto Avia Rancon: (13:14)
Thank you, President. The FIDH and PRVA denounced the fact that in Venezuela there is impunity for serious human rights violations and there is a repressive system which is responsible for persecuting civil society. The interim authorities are changing the legal framework, uh, to accommodate, uh, oil agreements with the Trump administration, but there's been the repeal of no laws arbitrarily used to detain thousands of Venezuelans, such as the law on hatred and that against NGOs. We have 300 political prisoners, thousands of, uh, civil servants, uh, pensioners and, uh, older persons have seen the real value of their income blown to smithereens. Uh, there are government vouchers, uh, for twe - $200, uh, dollars a month, whereas the food basket is more than 700. And, and teachers are starting the school year without a real outlook, uh, of the consequences of the earthquakes earlier this summer. We have seen, uh, the repressive, uh, mechanisms of the state continue unabated. 

Calisto Avia Rancon: (14:22)
We need to guarantee the right to truth, justice, and reparation for victims and ensure there's a recovery of democracy and the rule of law in the country. We would urge the council to renew the mandate of the mission. Uh, com - we would like to ask how you assess the role of the prosecutors and the ombudsman, given the current situation. Thank you. 

Host Doug McVay: (14:45)
. 

Calisto Avia Rancon: (14:46)
Distinguished members of council, I'd like to share four ideas with you. One, in Venezuela, there are still 38 legal instruments in force which restrict civil space according to Civilis International. For example, the law on electrical services has a 16-year prison sentence for disseminating certain information, and this is why academic researchers are prohibited from investigating the causes and solutions of, uh, electricity blackouts for eight hours a day affecting millions of Venezuelans. This shows the link between academic freedom and economic, social, and cultural rights. These are laws which must be repealed, uh, taken off the statute books, not made more flexible. Secondly, the repressive mechanisms continues. Uh, there are. The changes within the prosecution service and the ombudsman don't become truth, justice, and reparation in practice. There are more than 400 political prisoners. Uh, the re-institutionization implies that we'll have institutions which limit the exercise of power. 

Calisto Avia Rancon: (15:56)
Three, we must protect civil society as, uh, agents of change and assess the importance of universities and researchers as key actors to rebuild the country. And four, we need the support of the international community. We need to renew the fact-finding mission with sufficient resources and a two-year operational program. Thank you. 

Host Doug McVay: (16:18)
You just heard David Gomez with Aula Avierta. He was preceded by Calisto Avia Rancon with the International Federation for Human Rights Leagues. They spoke September 21st at the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council during a dialogue on the situation in Venezuela. Let's hear more. This next segment starts with Clara Del Campo Lopez with Amnesty International. It concludes with Santiago Canton with the International Commission of Jurists. 

Clara Del Campo Lopez: (16:45)
Mr. President, we welcome the FFM's new findings. Its investigations and recommendations offer much needed international scrutiny and victim-centered debate amidst the concerning upheavals seen this year. There should be no doubt. Even if somewhat altered, the state's policy of oppression remains firmly in place. At least 19 perpetrators identified by the FFM continue holding power with impunity. Laws that seek to close civic space and control NGOs are still in effect. And as we speak today, around 400 people remain arbitrarily detained for political reasons. Amnesty International calls for their immediate release for the closure of all criminal proceedings that remain open against thousands of victims of state repression and for dismantling the repressive legal architecture, including the anti - NGO law. Mr. President, truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence continue being absent. We remind authorities that these rights must be front and center in their actions. Here too, the FFM plays a crucial role. 

Clara Del Campo Lopez: (17:47)
Its informed recommendations offer this council and the international community a measurable roadmap for a future where human rights and the rule of law are protected in Venezuela. The FFM's mandate must be renewed for these and other valuable reasons. Given the FFM's findings on crimes against humanity in Venezuela, what are the options to preserve evidence for potential prosecutions? Thank you. 

Santiago Canton: (18:11)
Mr. Vice President, the International Commission of Jurists welcomes the work of the FFM on Venezuela and the affirmation of the persistence of human rights violations. Despite recent political developments, the implication of the findings is that the conditions that led this council to establish the mission remain la- largely unaltered. We condemn the continual arbitrated attention of over 400 people for political reasons in spite of the amnesty law. Furthermore, released persons continue to face prosecution by a justice system that lacks independence and is unwilling to hold persons responsible for gross human rights violations constituting crimes under international law. The announced reform of the Supreme Court and the justice system is vulnerable to political manipulation by the authorities and lacks transparency. With the pro Venezuela's recent denounciation of the Rome statute, further proof of the absence of any will to prosecute those responsible for crimes under international law. 

Santiago Canton: (19:07)
In a context of what the Office of the High Commissioner has faced and warrant obstacles to enga- engage effectively, despite an MOU, robust international oversight continues to be critical. Finally, the ICJ urges the council to renew and strengthen the fact-finding mission as it remains an indispensable mechanism for documenting gross human right violations and ensuring accountability for the victims. Thank you. You just 

Host Doug McVay: (19:30)
Heard Santiago Cantong with the International Commission of Jurists. The segment started with Clara Del Campo Lopez from Amnesty International. This last segment starts off with Natalia Segura Diaz from Lawyers for Lawyers. She's followed by Ronnie Bauquiet with the Center for Justice and International Law. And the segment concludes with Luis Carlos Diaz with International Service for Human Rights. 

Clara Del Campo Lopez: (19:53)
Humans Rights Institute. 

Luis Carlos Diaz: (19:56)
Welcome the report of the mission which has documented repeated restrictions on the right to effective legal defense. In Venezuela, civic space continues to be significantly restricted. Despite the Amnesty Act, hundreds of people remain in prison on political grounds. Lawyers continue to face harassment and surveillance when they take on politically sensitive cases. Although we welcome the release of detained lawyers, restrictive measures remain, including prohibitions on leaving the country, whereas lawyers in exile cannot return due to detention warrants that are still valid. Restrictions on access to clients and, uh, case files undermine effective legal assistance as well as access to justice and the guarantees of due process. Similarly, the independence of, uh, lawyers bars associations continues to be undermined, whereas restrictions on civil society limit their ability to provide legal assistance. We urge this council to renew the mission of the International Mission and the Office of the High Commission on Venezuela and to keep up the scrutiny on the situation concerning lawyers in the country. 

Luis Carlos Diaz: (21:05)
We urge on the Ven - urge the Venezuelan authorities to reestablish the rule of law, to end persecution and interference in the work of lawyers and to ensure the independence of the profession. Thank you. . President, distinguished members of the council. The report submitted by the mission continues to confirm the existence of, uh, judiciary that has no independence and which has been used as a tool for pers - pros - persecuting and which is incapable of investigating potential perpetrators of human rights violations. Kofavik and Sisul insist that the recovery of the rule in law in Venezuela requires not only a change of those in power, but also rebuilding institutions that can act with autonomy, that can effectively place checks on the exercise of power, that can guarantee due process and ensure that victims have access to truth, justice, and reparation. Institutional rebuilding must prevent the judiciary from being used once again as a tool for persecution. 

Luis Carlos Diaz: (22:04)
This requires genuine processes of purges and then selection of competent persons in a transparent manner as established by the constitution and in keeping with international standards. In context where impunity remains, speaking of a possible transition to democracy and of economic progress without an independent judiciary is an empty promise. The judicial reform is not a technical option. It is a matter of ethical, institutional, and social, uh, urgency. We call on this council to renew the mandates of the mission and of the office of the high commissioner and to ensure through this monitoring and international support for these process so as to achieve effective democracy. Thank you. 

Speaker 8: (22:48)
President, 

Luis Carlos Diaz: (22:49)
The renewal of the mandates of the fact-finding mission and the office of the High Commission on Venezuela is absolutely essential in order to continue the investigation and documentation of violations committed in the country and to put an into impunity. These results are crucial for achieving democratic transitions in Venezuela. Renewal is essential for three reasons. First of all, the structures of impunity remain in place. Since Nicolas Madura was captured in, uh, January, the fundamental causes behind the atrocities have not been addressed. The people, institutions, security structures and legal frameworks that allow for international crimes to be committed remain active. According to an independent researcher, there is no mechanism in place to dismantle this system of repression. Secondly, international scrutiny is important because it can promote genuine reform. The authorities in Venezuela have taken limited measures that fall short of what they should achieve. The mission can distinguish structural reforms that are genuine from cosmetic changes. 

Luis Carlos Diaz: (23:49)
Also, it can sign a warning about new waves of repression and, uh, keep up the necessary pressure in order to promote effective and meaningful change. The mission and the office of the high commission are complimentary. The mission is the only UN independent mechanism with a mandate to investigate serious violations, whereas the office of high commission provides monitoring and technical assistance. Together, they can document the abuses in Venezuela and end impunity. We call for there to be a resolution that renewals in full the mandates of both mechanisms. Thank you. You 

Host Doug McVay: (24:18)
Just heard Luis Carlos Diaz with International Service for Human Rights. He was preceded by Ronnie Bauque with the Center for Justice and International Law. The segment started with Natalia Segura Diaz from Lawyers for Lawyers. They spoke September 21st at the 63rd session of the UN's Human Rights Council during an interactive dialogue with the Independent International Fact Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. You're listening to Century of Lies. I'm your host, Doug McVeigh. While we still have time staying with the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, there were some excellent presentations by civil society representatives during general debate on the morning of September 18th. Let's hear a couple of those. This segment starts with Ajang Larasetti from Harm Reduction International. She's followed by Claudia Alejandra Cardona representing the International Drug Policy Consortium. We 

Ajang Larasetti : (25:09)
Welcome the OHCHR study on the impact of mental health challenges on the enjoyment of human rights by young people. Mental health is an integral part of their rights and its challenges can affect young people's ability to fully enjoy and exercise their human rights. Our organizations, IIMA Vidas International, conducted a global survey that received 1,778 responses across more than 46 countries. The findings highlight barriers that continue to prevent many young people from accessing the support that they need. We therefore urge member states to ensure that mental health services are accessible, affordable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of young people, adapt laws, policies and programs that integrate mental health across education, employment, and social protection systems consistent with the human rights-based approach. Ensure the meaningful and sustained participation of young people in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of measures that affect their mental health and human rights. 

Ajang Larasetti : (26:19)
Commitments must be translated into law policy resources and effective action to ensure that every young person can access the support they need, live with dignity, fully enjoy and exercise their human rights. Thank you. 

Claudia Alejandra Cardona: (26:38)
President, I'm making this statement on behalf of IDPC, Columbia, the International Network of Formerly Incarcerated Women, which brings together hundreds of women in more than 30 countries on six continents. I also deliver this statement on behalf of five further organizations. Punitive drug policies are a leading cause of women's incarceration with devastating and disproportionate impacts on the women themselves, but also their families and communities. Women's pathways into drug use or the drug trade are often linked to gender and structural inequalities, including poverty and gender-based violence. Deprivation of liberty further exacerbates these conditions and inequalities. Those of us who have lived experience of this must be centered in shaping and implementing policy alternatives. We advocate for approaches rated in care, not punishment, and for channeling resources to programs that address the inequalities and trauma faced by women who are criminalized, that keep families together, and that leads to gender and socioeconomic justice. 

Claudia Alejandra Cardona: (27:41)
We therefore welcome the OHCHR report on the impacts of drug policies on women and call on the Human Rights Council to continue to address the human rights implications of drug policy, including via the adoption of a new resolution on drug policy. Thank you very much. 

Host Doug McVay: (28:02)
That was Claudia Alejandra Cardona, director and co-founder of Mujeres Libres, representing the International Drug Policy Consortium. The segment started with Ajang Larasadi, human rights lead at Harm Reduction International. They spoke during the 63rd session of the UN's Human Rights Council during general debate on September 18th. And for now, that's it. Thank you for joining us. This has been Century of Lies. I've been your host, Doug McVeigh. Century of Lies is a volunteer production for community radio syndicated via the Pacifica Foundation Radio Network's audio port service. We'll be back in a week with 30 more minutes of news and information about drug policy and the failed war on drugs. For now, this is Doug McVeigh saying so long. So long. For the Drug Truth Network, this is Doug McVeigh asking you to examine our policy of drug prohibition, The Century of Lies. Drug Truth Network programs archived at the James A. 

Host Doug McVay: (28:53)
Baker III Institute for Public Policy.