NETHERLANDS/EU/VENEZUELA: SPEAKING OUT ON HUMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002704

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR AND WHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2014
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM VE NL EUN
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/EU/VENEZUELA: SPEAKING OUT ON HUMAN
RIGHTS

REF: STATE 223272

Classified By: POL Counselor Andrew Schofer for reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (C) Summary: The Dutch share U.S. concerns about a
deteriorating political and human rights situation in
Venezuela, but as EU President are reluctant to voice
criticism before consulting with other EU members. The EU
does not plan to discuss a collective post-referendum
strategy toward Venezuela formally until November 16, but the
issue could come up under "other business" at an October 19
internal working party meeting. End Summary.


2. (C) Poloff delivered ref message to Venezuela desk officer
Dimitri Vogelaar on October 18. Vogelaar replied that the
Dutch and EU remain concerned about the situation in
Venezuela, which he agreed appears to be deteriorating after
the referendum. Vogelaar noted that Chavez appears to have
waited until after the referendum to "go after" the
opposition. Vogelaar added that the Dutch would add a fourth
concern to reftel list: the politicization of the Tribunal
Suprema de Justicia, the highest legislative body in
Venezuela, to which he said Chavez has appointed several
Chavista justices.

EU to Strategize November 16
--------------


3. (C) Vogelaar said that EU Heads of Mission in Caracas are
scheduled to provide the EU internal COLAT meeting on
November 16 with their analyses of the post-referendum
situation and recommendations for the path forward. Vogelaar
did not expect any significant EU action prior to that
meeting. After Poloff pressed that November 16 was too late
for the decision on Sumate leaders, Vogelaar acknowledged
that separate coordinated statements before November were
"always a possibility." While Venezuela is not on the agenda
for the October 19 EU COLAT meeting, he added, the issue
could always be raised under "other business." Vogelaar
promised to discuss the situation with the Dutch Ambassador
in Venezuela and others.

Dutch Ready to Respond
--------------


4. (C) Vogelaar emphasized that the EU would certainly
"respond" to a decision to arrest Sumate leaders, which he
agreed "would be a a disaster" for Venezuelan democracy and
human rights. Vogelaar appeared particularly concerned about
reftel information regarding a potential draft law
criminalizing all foreign support for human rights and
political expression, and said that if this is the case
"there absolutely would be action." Regarding the draft
media law, Vogelaar said the Dutch and EU had spoken out
repeatedly criticizing the draft media law, which had been an
issue of concern even before the referendum.
SOBEL