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PRESS RELEASE

Nº 24/99

 

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), meeting today at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., during its 104th regular session, received His Excellency the President of the Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez Frías.

The Commission has a long tradition of meetings with heads of state of the Hemisphere during their on-site visits. However, this is the first time since the creation of the IACHR that a president of the republic has been kind enough to request a meeting with the Commission at its headquarters.

The meeting with the President of the Republic enabled the Commission to take note of the vision of the head of state of Venezuela’s present and future. Views were also exchanged concerning the work of the Commission as the principal organ to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the Hemisphere, the constitutional process being implemented in Venezuela, the status of the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the effectiveness of human rights. The President of the Republic of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, also invited the IACHR to visit his country. The IACHR, through its Chair, accepted the invitation to make an on-site visit, which will be made on a date agreed with Venezuela officials.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is grateful for the visit of the Venezuelan head of state and the presidential party, and reiterates its desire to continue to collaborate with the officials and people of Venezuela within their sphere of competence to contribute to strengthening domestic and international mechanisms for the defense and protection of human rights.

 

 

Washington, D.C., September 22, 1999