UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expresses concerns about Venezuela

 "What will become of us, of our world, if we ignore our treaties and principles? Can we be so stupid as to repeat scenes from the twentieth century, punctured as it was by such awful inhumanity? You must not make it so."  - Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN Human Rights Council March 2, 2015

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

"I remain very concerned at the deteriorating human rights situation in Venezuela, particularly the government’s harsh responses to criticism and to peaceful expressions of dissent. The use of lethal force against demonstrators is deeply disturbing. We have also received repeated reports of intimidation and public smear campaigns, including by high-ranking government officials, of human rights defenders. I am particularly concerned at the continued detention of opposition leaders and demonstrators, often for prolonged periods."

 - Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein 
 Opening Statement, Item 2, High Commissioner's Annual Report 
March 5, 2015