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DemocracyAlertsFrom time to time, the World Movement for Democracy issues alerts concerning participants and other colleagues who are, or may be, facing personal danger due to their work on behalf of democracy and for whom a vigorous response from around the world may be critical. To see previous alerts go to www.wmd.org/democracyalerts/democracyAlerts.html. (July 16, 2004) Democracy Activists in Venezuela Threatened The World Movement for Democracy expresses great concern regarding the political persecution to which the Venezuelan Government is subjecting the NGO, Súmate, a non-partisan organization that advocates for and defends Venezuelan citizens' political rights. Súmate has promoted and monitored the petition signing process guaranteed under Article 72 of the Venezuelan constitution. The process, supported and endorsed by the government and the international community, permits citizens to request a recall referendum half-way through an elected official's term if citizens can collect 20 percent of the signatures of registered voters. Specifically, six members of Sumate have been threatened with indictment for "high treason and conspiracy" by the Venezuelan Government for having received funds from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Secretariat of the World Movement for Democracy, to finance an educational program to train Súmate volunteers in citizens' political rights. In fact, however, it is not a crime in Venezuela to receive funds from a foreign organization or to undertake educational programs similar to those carried out by Súmate. The World Movement for Democracy is especially concerned for the safety and protection of the directors of Súmate, Maria Corina Machado and Alejandro Plaz. According to the Venezuelan "Ultimas Noticias" and other sources, they are at risk of being arrested and incarcerated at any moment, in clear violation of their rights. If convicted they could spend up to 16 years in prison. The World Movement is concerned both for the safety of these law abiding citizens and for the constitutional process itself. In its pursuit of Súmate, the Venezuelan Government violated Venezuelan law, including withholding case files from the defendants, using depositions of the defendants that were made before the charges against them were known, and refusing to accede to requests of the Supreme Court in the case. Suggested Action: To express your concern for Maria Corina Machado and Alejandro Plaz, and for maintaining the rule of law in Venezuela, we encourage you to write a letter in Spanish or your own first language to President Hugo Chavez or to the Venezuelan Embassy in your country.
Presidente de la República República Bolivariana de Venezuela Palacio de Miraflores Caracas - VENEZUELA For more information about Súmate's situation please see:
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