Human rights defender, Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes, has been targeted in a number of statements made by public officials, including the President, and accused of instigating violent incidents within the prison system in Venezuela.

Further Information

Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes is a lawyer and the Director of the Observatorio Venezolano de Prisiones– OVP (Venezuelan Prisons Observatory). The OVP documents cases of violations against, and promotes the rights of, persons in detention in Venezuela.

In 2009 Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes was the winner of the Canadian Embassy in Venezuela's first human rights award, and in 2004 he was elected an Ashoka Fellow. Front Line previously issued an appeal on 11 June 2010 regarding a campaign of intimidation and harassment against Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes as a result of his legitimate human rights work.

On 6 November 2010 the Nueva Prensa de Guyana newspaper reported on a campaign that had been launched on the previous day by the Ombudsman Ms Gabriela Ramírez. During the press conference for this launch the Ombudsman made reference to the dual conduct of non-governmental organisations working in the area of prisoners' rights.

On the one hand she accused them of promoting internal conflicts and strikes within the prison system, and then on the other hand of using these incidents to make public complaints to bring before the international community. The OVP is one of the primary organisations in Venezuela working on human rights related to prisoners.

Furthermore on 5 October 2010 the Diario Nuevo País newspaper reported that following the results of the legislative elections of 26 September President Hugo Chavez gave orders to the Public Ministry and the courts of justice to continue with repressive policies to criminalise political dissent.

One of those persons named was Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes, who he accused of promoting dissent within the prisons and ultimately leading to the recent riots which reportedly resulted in 18 prisoners being killed and 47 injured in the Aragua "Tocoron" Prison in the city of Maracay in Aragua.

Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes is concerned that this constitutes an attempt to deflect blame from the Ministry of Justice and the Interior for the current crisis in the prison system and puts him at risk of reprisals for his legitimate human rights activities.

Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes and other human rights defenders working to promote and protect human rights in Venezuela, in particular prisoners' rights, and believes that public statements accusing Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes of instigating prison riots may place him at risk of persecution or further campaigns of intimidation and harassment.