FREEDOM HOUSE WORKING WITH VENEZUELA HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS CARACAS 001842 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID KDEM PHUM VE SUBJECT: FREEDOM HOUSE WORKING WITH VENEZUELA HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. USAID Venezuela entered into a cooperative agreement with the US-based human rights organization Freedom House in September 2004. Through this project, Freedom House is increasing the capacity of Venezuelan human rights defenders to document and report on the human rights situation in Venezuela. Freedom House's efforts to-date have included periodic visits to Venezuela and workshops in Mexico (January - Reftel 000921),Guatemala (March),and Peru (May). The next workshop is scheduled for Argentina in August. End Summary ¶2. The two-day workshop in Guatemala reviewed and analyzed ways to improve the physical and institutional security of human rights (HR) defenders and organizations in Venezuela. These included measures to be taken in-country as well as international support mechanisms, such as procedures for contacting the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, and procedures for requesting protective measures from the Inter-American Court. This workshop brought together 11 HR organizations from Caracas and the interior, 5 members of media/press organizations, and representatives of 3 universities. It was hosted by the Guatemalan HR organization "National Movement for Human Rights". ¶3. The workshop in Peru provided training to 10 Venezuelan HR lawyers on strategies and tactics for legal defense in the event of human rights violations. This was followed by a weeklong exchange for representatives of 7 Venezuelan HR organizations with counterparts in Peruvian organizations. ¶4. Venezuela's HHRR community is marked by strong leaders, backed by weak organizations. Venezuelan HHRR organizations work individually and most often not as part of a solid network. Freedom House training provides additional linkages between HHRR NGOs. One example is that a group of HR lawyers has decided to form a network of HR defenders focused solely on civil and political liberties, rather than including economic and cultural rights. Another example is that several media HR organizations have been meeting to discuss the creation of a Freedom of Information Act for Venezuela. ¶5. Freedom House - through the workshops and visits to organizations around the country - has developed important relationships with many HR organizations, both in Caracas and the interior. Because of the Freedom House rep's experience, expertise, and contacts with HHRR defenders the NGO has become a link between organizations which normally have little contact with one another. BROWNFIELD NNNN 2005CARACA01842 - UNCLASSIFIED