Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Monday, 1 November 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 November 2010. It was answered by Jeremy Browne (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 9 November 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Venezuela: Human Rights

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on human rights in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The EU Heads of Mission in Caracas compiled a report on Venezuela, including human rights, for the EU Latin America Working Group (COLAT) meeting held on 6 July 2010 in Brussels. We also receive regular reporting from our embassy.The EU report focuses in particular on human rights concerns in the pre-electoral period. It said that while freedom of expression existed, there had been increasing cases of journalists being intimidated and harassed, as well as the closure of media outlets and some overt censorship by the press. Our embassy in Caracas continues to monitor the situation.

Secondary information