Evidence of meeting #54 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was political.
A video is available from Parliament.
1:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
Ms. Grewal, we only have time for one question from each person. We're already at the end of our time.
Mr. Cotler, please.
1:55 p.m.
Liberal
Irwin Cotler Liberal Mount Royal, QC
I'll take over where Carlos Vecchio left off, and ask him how Canada can assist the movement for democratization and protection of human rights in Venezuela. What would be the things we could do that could help the people of Venezuela help the democratic process?
1:55 p.m.
National Political Coordinator, Venezuelan Party Voluntad Popular, As an Individual
I would say, first, you have to clearly condemn the violation of human rights in Venezuela. You have to put Venezuela on the agenda of the Canadian government. That can be done by this Parliament, and particularly by this committee. If you raise awareness about Venezuela, about the decline of democracy, and about the violation of human rights, and condemn them, that will be the first step to move forward.
The second one would be for Canada to become a key actor inside the multilateral organizations, such as the UN and OAS, to put Venezuela on the agenda, particularly in the cases of violations of human rights. That, in our view, is very important.
Third, I think Canada should advocate in favour of the release of the political prisoners, not only in the case of Leopoldo, but also for the rest of the political prisoners. I think you can be a clear voice in the region.
Fourth, you need to build alliances in the region. It would be much better if you work on all of these issues with different countries, particularly with partners in Latin America. I think you can work on that relationship.
Last, you should work with the European Union and with the United States, because they are now having negotiations with Cuba. As you know, Cuba has been very close to the Venezuelan government. If they are talking about democracy in Cuba, I think this is the right time to also address the issue of democracy in Venezuela and the violation of human rights. That could be put on the table. I understand that Canada played an important role behind the scenes in the negotiation between U.S. and Cuba. Kerry mentioned recently that the U.S. wants Mexico and Canada involved at the negotiation table. It's probably a good opportunity also to put the violation of human rights in Venezuela at that table.
2 p.m.
Venezuelan Attorney, As an Individual
The importance of this committee already has produced results. I can tell you that maybe Maria Corina Machado right now is free because of your protection, because of the work of this Parliament and the position that has been taken by this Parliament, as the government in Venezuela respects this Parliament. It's just to share with you that the visit of Maria Corina Machado when she got back—maybe if she did not come here, she would be in jail.
2 p.m.
National Political Coordinator, Venezuelan Party Voluntad Popular, As an Individual
Let me add something else.
A visit from any of you, or from this Parliament, to Venezuela to verify what we are saying would be a good thing to move forward. Also trying to push at the UN a visit from the UN human rights commission.
2 p.m.
As an Individual
There's an important document I would invite you to read that is from the UN. It is with regard to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. It was published on November 28, 2014, and goes in depth on the tortures that have been happening in our country for the past years.
I will also hand you a document that probably is going to help.
2 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
If you could give that to the clerk at the end of the meeting he will make sure to distribute that to all of us.
Thank you.
Mr. Hillyer.
2 p.m.
Conservative
Jim Hillyer Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Most regimes that are guilty of violating human rights aren't big fans of being exposed. When you get back, how much of a problem are you going to face for coming here today? Will they welcome you back with open arms? What are the consequences of this risk?
As a follow up to that, you talked about our coming to Venezuela. How excited would the government be to have us come?
2 p.m.
As an Individual
I can answer that question. In the case of Carlos, Carlos right now is in exile. Orlando is mostly in the diaspora. I am going back to my country and it is not easy. It is not easy to go out and denounce and speak out as we have just done. It's not easy to do it in exile. It's not easy to do it in the diaspora. I can tell you it is very difficult to do it as we do it, but we have no choice. We have to speak out.
There is a lot of risk in speaking out, but that's the only choice we have.
2 p.m.
National Political Coordinator, Venezuelan Party Voluntad Popular, As an Individual
Let me add something about my case. I think they are having issues with monitoring by Interpol. Interpol knows more now about Venezuela. They know that Venezuela is using the judicial branch in order to catch people for political reasons. Interpol is taking care of that, but I need to be aware.
Also if I were to travel to any particular country that is very close to the Venezuelan government, they could probably catch me there. I need to pick carefully where I go.
The president of the national assembly, the congress in Venezuela, has a public program in the public media in Venezuela. Once a week he talks about me. Probably he will put up the picture again next week about my visit to Canada. I'm exposed every week in the media in a negative manner, and I don't have any right to defend myself in Venezuela.
If I go to a country, for example, Nicaragua, the Venezuelan government probably could kidnap me there, because of their relationship with the Nicaraguan government and bring me to Venezuela immediately. So I need to be very careful where I go in this role of an international alien.
2:05 p.m.
Venezuelan Attorney, As an Individual
I became a Canadian resident, but I have some plans or expectations to go back to Venezuela by April. For me it is important to keep in touch with you just to see what's going to happen.
2:05 p.m.
National Political Coordinator, Venezuelan Party Voluntad Popular, As an Individual
I don't think so, but you should try.
You could do it by yourself. You can supposedly travel to Venezuela without any limitation if you just want to visit Venezuela.
Recently we had the visit of two former Latin American presidents, the former president of Colombia and the former president of Chile. They went to Venezuela and they tried to visit Leopoldo Lopez. The government wouldn't allow them to visit Leopoldo and they were treated very badly. The intelligence forces were around them all the time. It was a difficult time and a tough moment for them.
These are the things that we need as Venezuelans. That forced the Colombian and Chilean governments to speak up and to release statements about that. That is something important for us. That is why we were inviting you to visit Venezuela.
2:05 p.m.
NDP
Tarik Brahmi NDP Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Lopez, in 2012, as a parliamentarian, I had the opportunity to visit one of my constituents who was imprisoned in a military jail abroad. I have two questions for you about that.
First, how does the government justify that your brother is in a military prison, not in a civilian prison? Clearly, he is not a soldier.
2:05 p.m.
NDP
2:05 p.m.
As an Individual
They say that it's to keep him secure, that they're protecting him. That's what they say. That is very absurd, but he is in a military prison.
They don't give us any answers as to the reason he cannot receive visitors.
President Pastrana from Colombia, and former president Piñera from Chile went to Ramo Verde on a Sunday, which is the day he can receive visits, and they were not allowed. Many other people have tried to visit my brother: María Corina Machado, Antonio Ledezma, and David Smolansky. Many leaders and many friends have tried to visit him and they won't allow it.
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
Thank you.
Mr. Sweet indicated to me that he has something to address to the committee.
February 5th, 2015 / 2:10 p.m.
Conservative
David Sweet Conservative Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale, ON
Yes, Chair, I want to ask my colleagues if they would be unanimous in our desire to send a letter to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with a copy to the Prime Minister, in regard to your asking them, on behalf of us, to investigate the American approach to sanctions against the individuals in Venezuela, to see if that may be something Canada could engage in, in order to send a strong signal that we're very concerned about the human rights situation in Venezuela.
Particularly, colleagues, from the testimony, I find that at least three elected officials are in jail right now: two members of the assembly and a mayor. The entire picture is terrible, but I think that just amplifies it.
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
The last part is advocacy, and the first part of what you said is the intent of the letter that would be from me on behalf of the committee to the noted individuals.
Is there a problem?
Monsieur Brahmi.
2:10 p.m.
NDP
Tarik Brahmi NDP Saint-Jean, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
For me to approve the letter, it would have to be reviewed by one of the two permanent NDP members on this committee.
2:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Scott Reid
What I think I would do, colleagues, is draft something, circulate it to everybody, and if it looks okay, you would approve it at the next meeting and we would go on.
Professor Cotler.