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Six members of humanitarian organisation Azul Positivo detained

Status: 
Detained
About the situation

On 14 January 2021 human rights defenders and humanitarian workers from Azul Positivo -  Johan Leon Reyes, Yordy Bermudez, Layners Gutierrez Diaz, Alejandro Gomez Di Maggio and Luis Ferrebuz - were charged with alleged ‘fraudulent handling of cards;’, ‘criminal association’ and ‘money laundering’.

On 12 January 2021, six members of Azul Positivo were arrested and detained in the facilities of the General Directorate of Military Counter-intelligence (DGCIM) in Maracaibo, Zulia. The detention followed an alleged audit of the office of Azul Positivo by Zulia State Police and DGCIM, which lasted approximately six hours. The human rights defenders and members of Azul Positivo have been denied access to their lawyers since their detention. The charges against them are still unknown.

About Azul Positivo

Azul Positivo is a humanitarian organisation which has been providing humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities in Zulia, particularly people living with HIV/AIDS, for over fifteen years. The organisation has been exceptionally active in combating the impact of COVID-19 on local communities through workshops on sexual and reproductive health, educational sessions on disease prevention and assistance in food safety.

19 January 2021
Members of humanitarian NGO Azul Positivo formally charged

On 14 January 2021 human rights defenders and humanitarian workers from Azul Positivo Johan Leon Reyes, Yordy Bermudez, Layners Gutierrez Diaz, Alejandro Gomez Di Maggio and Luis Ferrebuz were charged with alleged ‘fraudulent handling of cards;’, ‘criminal association’ and ‘money laundering’.

On 12 January 2021, six members of Azul Positivo were transferred to the General Directorate of Military Counter-intelligence (DGCIM) in Maracaibo, Zulia, where they were placed in detention. The detention followed an audit of the office of Azul Positivo by Zulia State Police and DGCIM. The human rights defenders and members of Azul Positivo were denied access to their lawyers for two days after their detention. On 13 January 2021, their lawyers were informed that the human rights defenders would be presented before a military court.

On 14 January 2021 the human rights defenders were notified that the eighteenth military Court of Control denied military jurisdiction on the case. The human rights defenders were then presented before the Fourth Court of First Instance of the State of Zulia. The Court ratified the charges of ‘fraudulent handling of cards or similar instruments’, ‘criminal association’ and ‘money laundering against’ five of the six defenders detained. The Court also ordered preventative detention measure against them. The sixth member of Azul Positivo who was arrested on 12 January was released without charge.

From the date of the hearing, the Public Ministry has 45 days to investigate and present its conclusions regarding the detention of the five charged human right defenders: Johan Leon Reyes, Yordy Bermudez, Layners Gutierrez Diaz, Alejandro Gomez Di Maggio and Luis Ferrebuz.

Front Line Defenders reiterates its deeps concern at the ongoing criminalisation facing humanitarian workers and humanitarian organisations in the country. This decision highlights the pattern of harassment and persecution against those who, in exercise of their right to freedom of association and assembly, try to alleviate the negative impact that the complex humanitarian emergency and the COVID-19 pandemic have on the population in Venezuela.

Front Line Defenders condemns the misuse of the judicial system to criminalise the work carried out by humanitarian organisation Azul Positivo. Front Line Defenders believes their detention is solely motivated by their humanitarian work and urges the Venezuelan authorities to drop all charges against them and to release them immediately and unconditionally.

13 January 2021
Six members of humanitarian organisation Azul Positivo detained

On 12 January 2021, six members of Azul Positivo were arrested and detained in the facilities of the General Directorate of Military Counter-intelligence (DGCIM) in Maracaibo, Zulia. The detention followed an alleged audit of the office of Azul Positivo by Zulia State Police and DGCIM, which lasted approximately six hours. The human rights defenders and members of Azul Positivo have been denied access to their lawyers since their detention. The charges against them are still unknown.

Download the Urgent Appeal

Azul Positivo is a humanitarian organisation which has been providing humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities in Zulia, particularly people living with HIV/AIDS, for over fifteen years. The organisation has been exceptionally active in combating the impact of COVID-19 on local communities through workshops on sexual and reproductive health, educational sessions on disease prevention and assistance in food safety.

On 12 January 2021, at around 11:30, Zulia State Police and DGCIM officers entered the headquarters of Azul Positivo in Maracaibo. According to the information available, the officers informed the members of the Azul Positivo that they would carry out an audit of the organisation. As part of this procedure, the general director, Johan León Reyes, and other executive members of Azul Positivo who were present on the day were questioned. Six hours later, five members of the organisation were transferred to the DGCIM headquarters in Zulia, where they were placed in detention. Later that day, local organisations were informed that a sixth member of Azul Positivo had also been detained.

Since their detention, the six human rights defenders have not had access to any lawyer. On the day of the arrest, their lawyers were denied entry and could not verify the status of the detainees. On 13 January 2021, the detainees were again denied access to their lawyers. The lawyers were informed that the human rights defenders would be presented before a military court. If so, this would set a dangerous precedent for the defence of human rights in Venezuela. The detainees have not yet been informed of the charges they face.

Front Line Defenders has previously denounced the escalation of attacks against organisations that carry out humanitarian work and promote human rights in the context of the complex humanitarian crisis that Venezuela has faced in recent years. Front Line Defenders condemns the attacks against Azul Positivo and expresses in particular its concern that the human rights defenders have been denied access to their lawyers.

Front Line Defenders reiterates its concern that events such as those carried out against Azul Positivo have an intimidating effect on the community of human rights defenders in Venezuela, particularly those who continue to denounce the humanitarian crisis and those who provide fundamental humanitarian support during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.