MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Venezuela sanctioned by Switzerland for human rights violations

Switzerland's Federal Council has expressed its concern in light of the repeated violations of individual freedoms in Venezuela

Switzerland Wednesday aligned itself with other European countries by imposing sanctions on Venezuela for “human rights violations and
undermining the rule of law and democratic institutions,” the Federal Council announced.

 Switzerland ”is seriously concerned by the repeated violations of individual freedoms in Venezuela, where the principle of separation of powers is severely undermined and the process in view of the forthcoming elections suffers from a serious lack of legitimacy.

It calls on Venezuela to restore the integrity of the electoral process and to promote an inclusive democratic environment that fully respects its constitutional and legal framework and its international obligations.

The Ordinance on Measures against Venezuela entered into force on 28 March. It consists of an arms and repressive goods embargo and financial and travel sanctions. It bans the sale, supply, export and transit to Venezuela of arms and goods which can be used for internal repression. A similar ban also applies to equipment, technology and software that can be used to monitor and intercept internet and telephone communications.

Furthermore, assets have been frozen and entry and transit bans have been issued for listed natural persons, companies and organizations. These measures are currently directed against seven Venezuelan ministers and high-ranking officials. Assets frozen under the measures must be reported without delay.

The Federal Council has expressed its concern in light of the repeated violations of individual freedoms in Venezuela, where the principle of separation of powers is severely undermined and the process in view of the forthcoming elections suffers from a serious lack of legitimacy. It calls on Venezuela to restore the integrity of the electoral process and to promote an inclusive democratic environment that fully respects its constitutional and legal framework and its international obligations.