UN experts condemn US naval blockade of Venezuela as illegal aggression

UN experts condemn US naval blockade of Venezuela as illegal aggression

## UN Experts Raise Concerns Over Impact of US Sanctions on Venezuela, Call for Inquiry

**Geneva** – A panel of United Nations experts has voiced serious concerns regarding the impact of United States sanctions on Venezuela, specifically highlighting potential violations of international law and detrimental effects on the human rights situation within the country. The experts are calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged violations stemming from the imposition of these measures.

The panel, comprised of independent human rights specialists, expressed particular alarm over the impact of what they described as a de facto naval blockade. They argue that the restrictions on maritime traffic and trade have severely hampered Venezuela’s ability to import essential goods, including food, medicine, and critical supplies necessary for maintaining infrastructure and public services.

“The scale and scope of these sanctions, particularly the restrictions on maritime access, are having a devastating impact on the Venezuelan population,” stated a representative of the UN group. “We are deeply concerned that these measures are disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable segments of society, exacerbating existing humanitarian challenges and potentially leading to violations of fundamental human rights, including the right to food, health, and an adequate standard of living.”

The experts underscored the importance of distinguishing between targeted sanctions, aimed at specific individuals or entities responsible for human rights abuses or corruption, and broad-based economic sanctions that can have a widespread and indiscriminate impact on the general population. They argue that the current US policy, while ostensibly intended to promote democracy and human rights, may be inadvertently contributing to a humanitarian crisis and undermining the very principles it seeks to uphold.

The call for an investigation focuses on determining whether the sanctions regime, as implemented, complies with international humanitarian law and human rights standards. The experts emphasized the principle of proportionality, which requires that any restrictive measures must be carefully calibrated to minimize unintended consequences and ensure that the harm caused to civilians is not excessive in relation to the legitimate objective pursued.

The UN panel also expressed concern about the potential for sanctions to impede the delivery of humanitarian aid and hinder efforts to address the ongoing economic and social challenges facing Venezuela. They urged all parties to prioritize the needs of the Venezuelan people and to ensure that humanitarian actors have unimpeded access to deliver assistance to those in need.

The US government has consistently defended its sanctions policy towards Venezuela, arguing that it is a necessary tool to pressure the Maduro regime to restore democracy and respect human rights. Washington has also maintained that its sanctions are designed to minimize harm to the Venezuelan population and that it provides humanitarian assistance to the country through various channels.

However, the UN experts remain unconvinced, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced and targeted approach that prioritizes the protection of human rights and avoids causing undue suffering to the Venezuelan people. They urged the US government to reconsider its sanctions policy and to engage in constructive dialogue with the Venezuelan government and other stakeholders to find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the country’s political and economic crisis.

The findings and recommendations of the UN experts are expected to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in the coming months. This development underscores the growing international scrutiny of the impact of sanctions on vulnerable populations and highlights the need for a more rigorous assessment of the human rights implications of such measures. The debate surrounding the US sanctions on Venezuela is likely to continue, with the international community grappling with the complex challenge of balancing the pursuit of political objectives with the imperative to protect human rights and alleviate human suffering.

This article was created based on information from various sources and rewritten for clarity and originality.