Human Rights Activists: Venezuelan Authorities Seize Passports of Dozens of Journalists and Activists

The Venezuelan government has revoked the passports of dozens of journalists and activists since President Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of the presidential election this summer, media reports say, in what human rights groups say is a growing campaign of repression against Maduro's critics.

The Financial Times reported on Saturday, October 12, citing the Venezuelan organization Laboratorio de Paz, that at least 40 people, mostly journalists and activists, had their passports revoked without explanation.

The rights group said people had their passports taken away as they tried to board flights at the country's main airport.

The Venezuelan opposition has rejected claims of Maduro's victory. Ten Latin American countries and the US government have also said they reject the Venezuelan Supreme Court's decision upholding Maduro's claim of victory.

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More than 2,000 journalists, activists and anti-government protesters have been arrested in the country since the election, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Laboratorio de Paz has suggested that the number of people whose passports have been revoked is likely much higher, as many Venezuelans may be afraid to report such incidents.

The Venezuelan government is far from alone in targeting critics by restricting their movement. An August report from the rights group Freedom House said that over the past decade, at least 55 governments have restricted the movement of people they consider a threat, including journalists.

“These tactics highlight the vindictive and punitive nature of some countries,” she told Voice of America in August. one of the authors of the report, Jessica White.

Venezuela ranks 156th out of 180 countries and territories in the World Press Freedom Index.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga