Censorship and death marked violations of freedom of expression in March
Almost two months after the approval of the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence in Venezuela, a report by the Venezuelan NGO Espacio Público indicates that during the month of March, 27 detentions of journalists and citizens were registered, as well as 75 violations of freedom of expression.
TL;DR
- Espacio Público reported 27 detentions and 75 violations of freedom of expression in Venezuela during March.
- Two journalists, Walter Alexander Jaime and Yolimar Hidalgo, were murdered in March.
- The application of the Amnesty Law is described as selective, with reports of extortion of political prisoners' families.
- Journalist Carlos Julio Rojas denounced a wave of rejections in amnesty applications and practices that violate the right to legitimate defense.
- Human rights organizations and civil society demanded the lifting of blocks on over 200 news website domains.
- The National Union of Journalists reported numerous aggressions against press workers, including arbitrary detentions and legal limbo.
- The Venezuelan press operates in a hostile environment with laws designed to punish speech.