HRC63 - EU Statement - Interactive dialogue on the report of the independent international fact-finding mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

63^rd Session

Interactive dialogue on the report of the independent international fact-finding mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

18 September 2026

EU statement

Mr President/ Ms./Mr. Vice-President,

The European Union would like to thank the Fact-Finding Mission for this report and reiterate its full support for its mandate. All human rights mechanisms on Venezuela remain essential, and we urge the authorities to engage with them constructively. This includes granting the FFM full access to the country, and ensuring the continued presence of OHCHR, including their unfettered access to all places of detention in all regions.

The EU remains deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Venezuela and by the continued reports of repression, including against political actors, civil society, human rights defenders and independent media. We are particularly concerned by the report’s findings about the role of armed civilian groups, including so-called colectivos, in violence, intimidation and repression as well as the collaboration between these organizations and authorities, and call for all violations to be independently investigated and perpetrators held accountable.

The EU regrets Venezuela’s steps towards withdrawal from the Rome Statute and calls on it to remain a committed State Party to the International Criminal Court. The EU welcomes the recent release of political prisoners while regretting that in many cases those released remain subject to restrictions and are not fully free. We call on the authorities to widen civic and democratic space including by ending arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances, releasing all remaining political prisoners unconditionally, dismantling the repressive security apparatus, and safeguarding fundamental freedoms and civil society.

We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people following the devastating June earthquakes.

Together with regional and international partners, we continue to support an inclusive, Venezuelan-led dialogue towards a peaceful democratic transition reflecting the will of the Venezuelan people, restoring democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

Ms Macher, 

What concrete steps should the Venezuelan authorities take to facilitate the restoration of democratic institutions?

Thank you.