OHCHR Raises Concern Over Developing Situation in Venezuela

Geneva, January 07 (QNA) :The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) raises concern over developing situation in Venezuela, in the midst of a military operation conducted by the US, which resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and their transfer out the country.

Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner Volker Turk, stated in a press conference that the military operation "violates the fundamental principle of international law (and) the UN Charter, which states that States must not threaten or use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State."

She said that the US military operation in Venezuela made "all States less safe around the world", adding "Accountability for human rights violations cannot be achieved by unilateral military intervention in violation of international law."

The future of Venezuela "must be determined by the Venezuelan people alone, with full respect for their human rights, including the right to self-determination, and sovereignty over their lives and their resources," Shamdasani said.

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday a large-scale military strikes against Venezuela, including the capital Caracas, targeting key sites in the country. The operation resulted in the arrest of venezuelan president and his wife and their transfer to the United States to stand trial before the US courts.  (RSS)