HRF in The Washington Times: Venezuelans charged for statements on Twitter

WASHINGTON, DC (July 16, 2010)—Human Rights Foundation (HRF) president Thor Halvorssen is quoted extensively in an article, published in today’s Washington Times, about the case of two Venezuelan citizens charged with using Twitter to “destabilize the banking system.” Luis Enrique Acosta Oxford and Carmen Cecilia Nares Castro were both charged this week with “disseminating false rumors” on Twitter to allegedly incite a run on Venezuelan banks. Both could face up to 11 years of imprisonment, pending trial.

Venezuelan authorities have stated that they are also investigating 15 other Twitter users for similar charges. Halvorssen noted the chilling effect that such arrests are intended to have on free speech in Venezuela.

"The assault on free, independent, and critical media in Venezuela has run its course," said Halvorssen. "There is little left for the government to do, considering it has used every tool at its disposal to silence dissent. This is phase two—going after individuals in private action for simple freedom of expression," he continued.

Since 2007, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights have repeatedly convicted the Venezuelan government of violating freedom of expression. Venezuela is the only state in the Americas to deny the Inter-American Commission access to its territory. In 2008, after disregarding various international rulings, the Supreme Justice Tribunal of Venezuela expressly called on the executive power to “denounce” the American Convention on Human Rights — a human rights treaty — so that Venezuela would no longer be bound by it.

HRF is an international nonpartisan organization devoted to defending human rights in the Americas. It centers its work on the twin concepts of freedom of self-determination and freedom from tyranny. These ideals include the belief that all human beings have the rights to speak freely, to associate with those of like mind, and to leave and enter their countries. Individuals in a free society must be accorded equal treatment and due process under law, and must have the opportunity to participate in the governments of their countries; HRF’s ideals likewise find expression in the conviction that all human beings have the right to be free from arbitrary detainment or exile and from interference and coercion in matters of conscience. HRF does not support nor condone violence. HRF’s International Council includes former prisoners of conscience Vladimir Bukovsky, Palden Gyatso, Václav Havel, Mutabar Tadjibaeva, Ramón J. Velásquez, Elie Wiesel, and Harry Wu.

Contact: Thor Halvorssen, Human Rights Foundation, (212) 246.8486, info@thehrf.org

Read the full article here.