Venezuela Ombudswoman Nixes
Rapporteur Statements
CARACAS - Venezuelan Ombudswoman Gabriela
Ramirez on Friday rejected the statements of
Frank La Rue and Catalina Botero,
rapporteurs with the United Nations and the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
for freedom of expression.
Ramirez backed the demand by Venezuela's
ambassador to the United Nations, Jorge
Varelo, who on Thursday asked for La Rue's
dismissal for contravening the code of
conduct of his post through "misuse and
abuse of his functions."
La Rue had criticized an arrest warrant
issued by the Venezuelan justice system for
the owner of a private television channel
that allegedly committed usury and
conspiracy, and asked the government to end
its supposed harassment of the TV station.
La Rue is taking advantage of his powers,
and is violating the principles of
impartiality, communicating with the
government, discretion, and prudence
regarding his statements, Ramirez said.
The Venezuelan ombudswoman spoke similarly
about Botero, accusing her of requesting the
intervention of the United States and the
OAS in Venezuela during a congressional
hearing in Washington.
Botero made several accusations against the
government of Venezuela and, according to
Ramirez, she adopted such an excessive
stance that OAS secretary Jose Miguel
Insulza should have intervened. |
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