Joint Statement signed by Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Panama, Paraguay , Poland, Portugal, Rep. of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay
September 12th, 9:30 am
We applaud the Venezuelan people for their participation in the July 28 presidential election despite significant challenges.
Over 12 million people went to the polls and exercised their right to vote. Their choice must be respected.
We took note that more than 80 percent of the tally sheets, “actas” in Spanish, published by civil society and the democratic opposition, received directly from polling stations, and corroborated by independent observers show a different outcome than that reported by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE).
In light of the ruling by Venezuela’s Supreme Court (TSJ) we urge the CNE to immediately publish the presidential election voting results from all polling stations and allow for the impartial verification of results by independent observers to promote credibility, legitimacy, and a transparent electoral process.
We take note of the UN Panel of Experts interim report, which found that the electoral process fell short of “the basic transparency and integrity measures” essential to holding credible elections. The Panel reviewed a sample of the “actas” in the public domain, which exhibited “all the security features of the original result protocols”.
Now is the time for all Venezuelans to begin constructive and inclusive discussions to resolve this electoral impasse and restore democratic norms peacefully in accordance with Venezuelan electoral law and the wishes of the Venezuelan people.
We are gravely concerned about reported human rights abuses and violations following the elections, including those involving repression, arbitrary arrests and detentions, killings, denials of fair trial guarantees as well as intimidation tactics against the democratic opposition, including the raid of the opposition’s headquarters.
We express deep concern with the politically motivated arrest warrant by Venezuelan authorities issued on September 3 for Edmundo González Urrutia that has forced him into exile.
It is imperative to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Venezuela, including the right of individuals to assemble peacefully without reprisal.
On August 16, the OAS resolution, which passed by consensus, made the region’s position clear. Our statements and actions at the UN, the OAS, and elsewhere are a testament to the strength of member states’ commitment to promoting human rights and the rule of law.
We fully support an inclusive, Venezuelan-led process to re-establish democratic norms in Venezuela and stand by the millions of Venezuelans who continue to risk their lives and well-beings for a more democratic, prosperous, and secure Venezuela.
