Human Rights

Parents of Venezuelan minors held after election protests seek UN intervention

Detained youth should be seen as victims of external factors like poverty, violence and social exclusion, not solely as offenders, a UNICEF official said.

Relatives of Venezuelans arrested during protests of the disputed July 28 presidential election and of other prisoners demonstrate, demanding their release outside the Ministry of People's Power for the Penitentiary Service in Caracas on October 18. [Juan Barreto/AFP]
Relatives of Venezuelans arrested during protests of the disputed July 28 presidential election and of other prisoners demonstrate, demanding their release outside the Ministry of People's Power for the Penitentiary Service in Caracas on October 18. [Juan Barreto/AFP]

By Entorno and AFP |

CARACAS -- Relatives of Venezuelan minors detained in connection with protests against strongman Nicolas Maduro's disputed reelection on October 21 appealed to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to seek their release.

"We respectfully request the intervention of UNICEF to guarantee the immediate release of these children and adolescents who are arbitrarily detained in conditions that violate their human rights," a dozen parents said in a message delivered to the UN agency's offices in Caracas.

Of the 164 adolescents arrested after Maduro's contested victory in July's election, 68 remain in detention, accused of "terrorism" and "incitement to hatred."

Protests following the vote claimed 27 lives and saw more than 2,400 people arrested.

Relatives of people arrested during the protests related to the disputed July 28 presidential election and of other prisoners demonstrate demanding their release in front of the United Nations Program for Development (PNUD) office in Caracas on October 21. [Federico Parra/AFP]
Relatives of people arrested during the protests related to the disputed July 28 presidential election and of other prisoners demonstrate demanding their release in front of the United Nations Program for Development (PNUD) office in Caracas on October 21. [Federico Parra/AFP]

The United States, Europe and many Latin American countries refused to recognize Maduro's reelection amid opposition claims of fraud.

The parents said their children were deprived of a defense lawyer of their choice and were forced through "ill-treatment" to say that the opposition "recruited" them.

"There is no evidence that incriminates them," said Katherine Martinez, who said her 17-year-old daughter was detained after sending WhatsApp messages about the political situation.

"Mr. President, have mercy, please," she said. "You are also a father. Have mercy on these children who you know are not terrorists."

Poverty, violence and social exclusion

UNICEF urged the protection of the rights of minors detained in Venezuela and emphasized the urgent need for reform in their treatment within detention centers, El Carabobeño reported.

Abubacar Sultan, UNICEF's representative in Venezuela, voiced concern over the living conditions from which the adolescents in detention come.

He stressed that detained minors should not be viewed solely as offenders, but as young people often impacted by external factors such as poverty, violence and social exclusion.

"The response must prioritize justice, focusing on education, rehabilitation and social reintegration while providing them with the tools and opportunities to rebuild their lives and contribute to a better future for themselves and society," he said October 21 at the Fermín Toro educational complex in Caracas.

UNICEF also reaffirmed its commitment to working with institutions and communities to develop and implement policies and programs that ensure comprehensive protection against violence in all spaces where minors grow and develop.

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