Submitted by crinadmin on
One hundred and seven children were detained last week in Venezuela during protests which began on 27 May over the government’s decision not to renew the license of the nation’s oldest television station RCTV. Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez said that RCTV had tried to undermine his government and will be replaced by a station reflecting the messages of his socialist government. According to reports, students took to the streets across Caracas and the state of Miranda, clashing violently with authorities charged with keeping the peace and Chavez supporters. Police reportedly responded with an excessive show of force, firing shots and using water cannons, tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse stone-throwing demonstrators. An unknown number of people were injured, including children and 11 members of the police force. Government sources said that until 29 May, 182 people were being detained. Some 56 have now been released, including seven children. Speaking at a meeting with local authorities in Miranda, the Minister of Popular Power for the Ministry of the Justice and the Interior, Pedro Carreño, said, “We have detained 107 children…the Venezuelan State – on instructions from the Ministry of popular power of the Interior and of Justice - will require these 107 children to appear before the Attorney General’s office…we will act with determination, we will not allow the streets to be closed in any part of the State of Venezuela. Concluding a meeting with the capital’s local authorities, he declared “Although the right to protest is a constitutional right laid out in Article 46 of the country’s constitution, we are calling on parents to guide their children so that they are not carried away with provocative group behaviour and do not take part in violent protests as they will be dealt with by the State.” Venezuelan child rights organisation CEDOCAP called on the Venezuelan State to respect and guarantee young people’s rights, including: 1. The right to meet and demonstrate peacefully: Young people (under 18-year-olds) have the right to meet peacefully in public or in private, without seeking prior permission from public authorities. In accordance with the law, they also have the right to demonstrate peacefully without weapons. The public authorities must ensure that all young people fully enjoy these rights. 2. Young people’s responsibilities: Young people must make responsible use of these rights, and not resort to expressing opinions by violent means or by breaching the peace. 3. Responsibility of parents and guardians: Parents and family members are responsible for ensuring their children enjoy their rights and guarantees in full. They must provide guidance and assess the conditions necessary to guarantee their protection. 4. Respect for integrity and dignity: If violence erupts during demonstrations, police and State security forces must act in a proportionate manner and in accordance with the law. Under no circumstances is the use of violence or coercion justified while arresting someone or while they are being held in detention. 5. Rights and guarantees: Young people who have been detained while they were exercising their right to association and to demonstrate must be freed immediately. The State must respect the fundamental rights guaranteed in the National Law for the Protection of Children and Young People in cases where young people have allegedly committed a punishable act during a demonstration, and respect their dignity, presumption of innocence, give clear and precise information about the reason they are being detained, respect their right to be heard, to a defence, confidentiality, due process, and separation from adults, among others. 6. Deprivation of liberty as a last resort: Depriving young people of their liberty must be an exceptional measure and a last resort that can be applied only in cases of very serious crimes. [Sources: CECODAP, Union Radio, BBC, Amnesty International] Further information