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Written question asked by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 November 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 November 2018. It was answered by Alan Duncan (Conservative) on Monday, 12 November 2018 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.


Venezuela: Politics and Government

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Government of Venezuela in respect of the killing of and assaults made against opposition politicians; and if he will make a statement.

Answer

As I stated in my Chatham House speech on 25 October, we are extremely concerned at the Venezuelan government's continued attacks on opposition politicians, a number of whom have been imprisoned, exiled or stripped of their political rights. The illegal detention of National Assembly MP Juan Requesens and the death of Fernando Alban whilst detained by the Venezuelan Intelligence Service are both particularly disturbing.

In October, our Ambassador met the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza, and the Vice-Minister for Europe, Yvan Gil, and expressed our concerns. In London, the Head, Latin America Department, FCO, called in the Venezuelan Ambassador to express our concern about Mr Requessens and to urge the Venezuelan government to release all political prisoners.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
188713
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Crimes of violence Homicide Politics and government Venezuela
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk