Protecting Human Rights on the Ground. Case Studies on the Origin and Development of OHCHR Country Offices and their Relevance for the Situation in Venezuela

Abstract

During the investigation, the presence of OHCHR completed its first six months in Venezuela, so a consultation with human rights defenders in the country was included to assess this experience. Being the first comparative research in this field, its findings are equally of interest to other audiences beyond Venezuela.

Following the proposal to create in Venezuela a country office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the need arises to explore some experiences that can provide insights to those who, from civil society in general and the human rights movement in particular, have an interest in promoting a process of greater presence and monitoring by the international human rights system in Venezuela, so that this process is the product of informed and strategically considered decisions.

This study identifies processes, strategies, lessons and practices that may or may not be applicable to the situation in Venezuela, based on a comparative analysis of the experience of four OHCHR country offices with different characteristics and contexts, but with elements of interest for the Venezuelan case: Cambodia, Colombia, Guatemala and Tunisia. The purpose is to provide elements to the national human rights movement and other interested parties in Venezuela, for the design of a realistic and coordinated advocacy strategy against the different actors involved: the UN human rights system, government, other interested States and donors.

During the investigation, the presence of OHCHR completed its first six months in Venezuela, so a consultation with human rights defenders in the country was included to assess this experience. Being the first comparative research in this field, its findings are equally of interest to other audiences beyond Venezuela.