HRC62 - EU Statement - Interactive Dialogue following the High Commissioner’s report on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

United Nations Human Rights Council

62nd Session

Interactive Dialogue following the High Commissioner’s report on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

26 June 2026

EU Statement

Mr President,

At the onset, allow me to express our solidarity with the people of Venezuela and with all those engaged in rescue and relief operations after the terrible earthquakes that hit the country this week. 

The EU would like to thank the High Commissioner for his report and reiterate the importance of OHCHR’s monitoring and reporting on Venezuela. As the country enters a new phase, we call on the authorities to engage constructively with all international human rights mechanisms, including the Fact-Finding Mission. The EU welcomes the issuance of visas to OHCHR staff as an important step towards the restoration of the full capacity of the Office in Venezuela, which needs to include the Office’s unfettered access to all regions and detention centres. 

The EU welcomes the continued release of detainees, including dual and foreign citizens. EU dual nationals who remain in detention need to be granted regular and unhindered consular access. We call on the authorities to free all remaining political prisoners immediately, to ensure all releases are full and unconditional, to put an end to arbitrary detentions as well as enforced disappearances, and to dismantle all detention centres used for torture. We welcome the High Commissioner’s call for a victim-centred transitional justice strategy. 

We encourage meaningful institutional reforms, including of the security apparatus and the criminal justice system. In that respect, the adoption of a general amnesty law – despite its limited consultation process – the announced closure of the Helicoide prison, and the appointment of new Attorney General and Defensora del Pueblo are important first steps. Further reforms implemented in full compliance with international human rights law are needed. The renewal of the Supreme Court of Justice should also contribute to restoring confidence in the integrity and stability of the various institutions essential to democracy. 

We also call for the free, full and effective participation of all political actors in public life, including through the rehabilitation of political rights and eligibility guarantees in line with Venezuela’s international obligations.

The EU remains concerned by reports of acts of repression against dissenting voices. We urge the Venezuelan authorities to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and fundamental freedoms, foster an open and inclusive civic and democratic space, and to guarantee the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association, including for independent journalists and media workers, human rights defenders, lawyers, civil society actors and political opponents.

The EU welcomes that the report also focusses on the situation of economic, social, and cultural rights, which are essential to a dignified and free life and must be upheld.

The EU reiterates its willingness to engage constructively with the Venezuelan authorities and all relevant actors. We continue to support, in collaboration with local, regional and international partners, a Venezuelan-led dialogue towards a peaceful and democratic process that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people and restores democracy, the rule of law and human rights, in full respect of Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Mr High Commissioner,

What are your expectations regarding access to detention centres and monitoring of the releases of political detainees? 

Thank you.