Venezuela’s government has told the local United Nations office on human rights to stop working and leave within 72 hours.
They say the office is encouraging opposition to the country. Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil made the announcement in Caracas, after human rights lawyer Rocio San Miguel was arrested, causing a lot of criticism.
Gil said that the international community uses the office to speak against Venezuela.
It’s not known if the Venezuelan government has told the United Nations directly about their decision.
San Miguel was arrested at an airport near Caracas while waiting for a flight to Miami with her daughter.
The authorities didn’t say she was detained until two days later, and her lawyer hasn’t been allowed to see her yet.
Attorney General Tarek William Saab said earlier this week that she’s being kept at the Helicoide prison, known for holding political prisoners.
After San Miguel was arrested, her daughter, ex-husband, two brothers and former partner were also detained. Only her former partner is still in custody.
The UN High Commission for Human Rights, based in Geneva, Switzerland, expressed “deep concern” over San Miguel’s detention on Tuesday.
In a tweet, the office called for “her immediate release” and respect for her right to legal defense. About an hour before Gil’s announcement, the UN agency demanded respect for “due process guarantees, including right to defense” in her case.
The UN office was set up in Caracas in September 2019.
