ICC Prosecutor to Assess Venezuela's Actions on Alleged Crimes Against Humanity in 2024

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan announced that his team will return to Venezuela in 2024 to assess the country's actions regarding alleged crimes against humanity committed during a violent crackdown on protests in 2017. This comes after Venezuela lost an appeal last month against the resumption of the ICC's investigation into the 2017 events.

Khan made the announcement alongside Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who stated that he will allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office to operate in Venezuela again after it was suspended in February. This indicates a shift in Venezuela's stance towards international scrutiny of its human rights situation.

The ICC investigation, originally proposed by several Latin American nations, is focused on Maduro's responsibility for alleged abuses including arbitrary detention, torture, and sexual violence committed by security forces during the protests. An appeals panel has ruled that the investigation can proceed despite objections from Maduro's government.

Why this matters: The ICC's investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in Venezuela has significant implications for accountability and justice in the country. The outcome could set a precedent for how the international community addresses human rights abuses by governments and leaders.

During his fourth visit to Venezuela, Khan inaugurated a "technical assistance office" in the capital, Caracas, to continue investigations against Maduro's regime. The office's primary function is to support efforts to improve national justice initiatives and further increase the ICC Prosecutor's Office's field presence in Venezuela.

Khan expressed hope that the ICC could provide technical assistance to Venezuelan authorities to ensure "meaningful justice" in the country, as the domestic investigations appear to be focused on low-level perpetrators rather than senior commanders deemed responsible for the alleged crimes.

The meeting between Maduro and Khan reaffirmed the principle of constructive dialogue and the ICC prosecutor's willingness to engage with the Venezuelan authorities on site. Venezuela has emphasized the need for multilateral institutions to respect the country's sovereignty and has accused the ICC investigation of being part of an effort to promote regime change.

Khan also said he would tour the country to assess the impact of US-led sanctions, which Venezuela has filed a lawsuit against the ICC to have classified as crimes against humanity. The Venezuelan government has maintained that domestic courts are investigating and prosecuting state officials suspected of abuses, but the ICC has determined that these investigations are not adequate.

The ICC appeals judges noted that Venezuelan investigations appear to be focused on low-level perpetrators, while the ICC seeks to prosecute senior commanders deemed responsible for the alleged abuses. The U.S. has backed the ICC's probe, which aims to hold those accountable for arbitrary detention, torture, and sexual violence committed during the 2017 crackdown on anti-government protests in Venezuela.

Key Takeaways

• ICC prosecutor to return to Venezuela in 2024 to assess alleged crimes against humanity.
• Venezuela to allow UN human rights office to operate again after suspension in 2022.
• ICC investigation focuses on Maduro's responsibility for abuses during 2017 protests.
• ICC to provide technical assistance to improve national justice initiatives in Venezuela.
• ICC seeks to prosecute senior commanders, not just low-level perpetrators, for alleged abuses.