Human Rights Watch Blasts Chavez

Chavez

Venezuelan Pres. Hugo Chavez comes under fire in a new report issued by Human Rights Watch which details scores of human rights violations in his country.

The report outlines government repression of political opponents, in the courts, of the media and of organized labor.

It notes that 10 years ago, when Chavez took power, the new constitution could have been used to increase human rights. Instead, it says, things went in the opposite direction as he sought to counter political opposition and consolidate power.

The crackdown, the report suggests, began in 2002, when there was a short-lived coup against Chavez. This includes restrictions on journalists ability to express themselves, regulations limiting workers’ ability to associate and blockades hampering the work of human rights activists.

The government has gotten away with this, Human Rights Watch says, because there’s been no credible judicial oversight.

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