Venezuela: piqued by international criticism of its tardy response to the alleged massacre of Yanomami Indians by illegal miners, the Government has withdrawn from the American Convention on Human Rights

On 5th September 2012, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the Organisation of American States issued a press release in which it urged the Venezuelan Government to carry out an investigation in the Upper Ocamo village of Irotatheri where the alleged massacre of as many as 80 people is supposed to have taken place. On 10th September 2012, the IACHR issued a further press statement noting that Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela had officially 'denounced' the Convention. However, as the IACHR notes, withdrawal from the Convention requires one year's notice and moreover:  

'Such a denunciation shall not have the effect of releasing the State Party concerned from the obligations contained in this Convention with respect to any act that may constitute a violation of those obligations and that has been taken by that state prior to the effective date of denunciation.'

Meanwhile, national organisations within Venezuela continue to call for an impartial investigation of the alleged massacre. 

Click here to read the press statements from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (in English only).