MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Following the beatings of opposition members, OAS calls for dialogue in Venezuelan congress

Insulza supports President Maduro’s call for the creation of a ‘peaceful environment’

The Organization of American States (OAS) expressed concern over the acts of violence that took place on Tuesday in the National Assembly of Venezuela and noted that “this reflects, in a dramatic way, the absence of a political dialogue that could reassure the public and the branches of government, in order to resolve the outstanding issues in this country in a climate of peace between all Venezuelans”.

OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza supported the statement of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in favour of the creation of a peaceful environment in the Assembly and requested his efforts to re-establish the inalienable right of members of parliament to speak freely in the exercise of their functions.

“That could be a first step toward opening a dialogue between Venezuelans, something we all hope for and respect” added Insulza.

The head of the Venezuelan Assembly Disodado Cabello has stated that as along members of the opposition do not formally recognize the government of President Maduro “they not be able to address the House; they can go and complain to the fascist media”.

His statement was followed by opposition protests and a brawl in which several members of congress were attacked and injured by their Chavista peers.

Insulza suggested that the place where dialogue should begin is the Parliament, because “it is the natural meeting place of the democratic system, the republican institution par excellence, where all ideas should be able to be freely expressed.”

Finally Insulza regretted the decision of the president of the Assembly not to allow those who do not recognize the outcome of the election to speak, because such a measure, “rather than promote dialogue, prevents it.”

“The right to dissent by peaceful means is essential in any democracy,” he said.