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Bystanders take cover from the violence on the street. AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra

UN calls for action over deaths in Venezuelan protests

Three have died and dozens more injured in anti-government protests this week.

VENEZUELA MUST BRING to justice those responsible for attacks that left three people dead and scores injured during anti-government protests this week, the UN’s human rights office has said.

“We are deeply concerned about the escalation of violence, and in particular, the death of at least three people during demonstrations in Caracas on Wednesday,” said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN high commissioner for human rights.

“Perpetrators should be prosecuted and those found responsible for acts of violence, and in particular deaths, should be sanctioned with appropriate penalties,” he told reporters.

A pro-government demonstrator and two student opposition protestors died in Wednesday’s unrest, which led to a security crackdown in cities across a country where the economy has been battered by inflation of more than 50 percent a year.

Thousands of people in the capital Caracas had protested against rampant crime, inflation and shortages of basic goods in the biggest challenge to Venezuela’s leftist government since President Nicolas Maduro took over from the late Hugo Chavez last year.

Armed groups

“We are especially concerned at reports of attacks on demonstrators by armed groups acting with impunity. We are also concerned that this situation could trigger further outbreaks of violence and that of cycle of violence may take place,” Colville said.

On Thursday, 2,000 students again defied the authorities on the streets of Caracas.

Maduro has warned that the protests mark a coup attempt, and has vowed he will not be overthrown.

image

Demonstrators march to the General Prosecutors building in Caracas. (AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra)

His government has urged people to demonstrate in “anti-fascism” rallies, but they have failed to draw crowds.

“We have also received worrying reports of intimidation of journalists, some of whom have had their equipment seized, as well as reports that some local and international journalists were attacked while covering the protests,” said Colville.

“In addition, some protestors have reportedly been detained and may be prosecuted on terrorism charges. It has also been reported that some protestors, including minors, are being denied contact with family or lawyers,” he added.

- © AFP, 2014

Read: Venezuela’s youth are abandoning their homeland, Ireland is their destination >

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    Mute Seamus Quaide
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    Feb 6th 2023, 7:52 AM

    Give us trade and we’ll be fine about you using Shannon Airport for a stopover for your warcrimes in the Middle East.

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    Mute Kevin Carroll
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    Feb 6th 2023, 10:55 AM

    @Seamus Quaide: all our airports are wide open for everyone off the world.
    You don’t need a passboard to get access to Ireland

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    Mute Sarah Broderick
    Favourite Sarah Broderick
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    Feb 6th 2023, 9:57 AM

    Why bother? Most of the money US companies make in this country doesn’t stay in this country. Are they even making an impact on employment – look at tech???

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    Mute The next small thing
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    Feb 6th 2023, 2:21 PM

    @Sarah Broderick: There are hundreds of thousands working in multinational companies in this country paying a large chunk of payroll taxes and 25% of our overall tax take comes from corporation tax, with the majority coming from a few of these tech/phara compnaies. If these companies stop investing in this country we a banjaxed and there will have to be a large cut in government expenditure to try and balance the budget.

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    Mute Will Roche
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    Feb 6th 2023, 11:19 AM

    Can he not use FaceTime or a phone call?

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    Mute Rodí O'Leary
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    Feb 6th 2023, 2:40 PM

    @Will Roche: yes, because that’s a great way to build relationships and network… Some expenditure is worth. Not everything can be done on a shoestring.

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    Mute Johnny Farrell
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    Feb 6th 2023, 12:22 PM

    Where are the employees going to live…???

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    Mute Colm Molloy
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    Feb 6th 2023, 9:33 AM

    Did he fly direct from Ireland is the question, if not on a state plane

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    Mute Pat Barry
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    Feb 6th 2023, 9:25 AM

    That’s some jump from 2020 with €50 billion in exports to US! Source CSO.

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    Mute Pat Barry
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    Feb 6th 2023, 9:52 AM

    @Pat Barry: and €18bn US imports in 2021 so €255bn combined is way off.

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    Mute Fuji Hakayito
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    Feb 6th 2023, 6:14 PM

    Most politicians I just see as incompetent buffoons. This guy, I dunno, I just don’t like him.

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    Mute Pat Barry
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    Feb 6th 2023, 6:46 PM

    @Fuji Hakayito: It’s not a popularity show, it’s down to competency as stated and I don’t see him as a buffoon unlike some of his peers.

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    Mute Patrick Herbert
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    Feb 7th 2023, 1:34 PM

    COVENEY IS AT HIS JOB

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