Posted on 09/18/2008 5:07:38 PM PDT by sidewinder009
Venezuela's president, Hugo Chávez, has flouted human rights, persecuted opponents and undermined democracy during his decade in power, according to a damning new report. Human Rights Watch claimed his government had taken over the courts and cowed the media, trade unions and civil society, leaving the South American oil giant dominated by an over-mighty executive. "Discrimination on political grounds has been a defining feature of the Chávez presidency, [as] has been an open disregard for the principle of separation of powers," it said. Human Rights Watch said Venezuela's worst setback in the past decade was a 2002 coup which briefly replaced Chávez, an anti-democratic putsch backed by George Bush's administration. "Fortunately it lasted only two days. Unfortunately the Chávez government has exploited it ever since to justify policies that have degraded the country's democracy," said José Miguel Vivanco, the advocacy group's Americas director. The 230-page report, A Decade Under Chávez, accused the government of sacrificing basic guarantees enshrined in a 1999 constitution - which Chávez had championed - to further its political agenda. It had "neutralised the judiciary" by packing the supreme court with allies, and undermined freedom of expression by toughening penalties for criminal defamation and bullying private media into softening criticism. Opponents had been blacklisted from state agencies and the national oil company, notably through a database of those who had signed a petition against the president. Trade unions had been emasculated and human rights activists had been harassed.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
I noticed today that CITGO, The US arm of Venezuelan Oil, AKA Chavez, is a sponsor of Terri Gross on PBS. Nice of PBS to take Hugo’s oil money.
After hearing this, I’m sure that Chavez will immediately tender his resignation. ;-)
Where’s Cindy when you really need her?
Human Rights is ticked off with Chavez? That won’t sit well with the Democrats, most of whom idolize Hugo and think he’s the role model for leaders should be.
So true.
I can hear it now: “Naomi, go beat the hell out of these people for me”.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.