US State Department 2009 Human Rights Report: Venezuela
Released on March 11, it followed earlier ones, bogusly accusing Chavez of:
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harassing and intimidating political opponents;
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targeting the media; and
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numerous human rights violations, including:
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"unlawful killings;
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summary executions of criminal suspects;
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widespread criminal kidnappings for ransom;
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prison uprisings resulting from harsh prison conditions;
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arbitrary arrests and detentions;
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corruption and impunity in police forces;
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a corrupt, inefficient, and politicized judicial system characterized by trial delays and violations of due process;
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(targeting) political opponents and selective prosecution(s) for political purposes;
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infringement of citizens' privacy rights by security forces;
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government closure of radio and television stations and threats to close others;
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government attacks on public demonstrations;
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systematic discrimination based on political grounds;
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considerable corruption at all levels of government;
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threats and attacks against domestic NGOs;
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violence against women;
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inadequate juvenile detention centers;
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trafficking in persons; and
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restrictions on workers' right of association."
