Summary

The Special Rapporteur undertook an official visit to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from 1 to 12 February 2021 to assess the impact that unilateral sanctions imposed by several States and international organizations have had on the human rights of Venezuelans. She concludes that sectoral sanctions on the oil, gold and mining industries, the economic blockade, the freezing of Central Bank assets, the targeted sanctions imposed on Venezuelans and third-country nationals and companies and the overcompliance by banks and third-country companies have exacerbated the pre-existing economic and social crisis and had a devastating effect on the entire population, especially those living in poverty, women, children, older persons, persons with disabilities or life-threatening or chronic diseases, and the indigenous population. No strata of society has been untouched. She recommends that these sanctions, which were imposed mostly in the name of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, be lifted, as they undermine those very principles, values and norms.