441-02375 (Foreign affairs)

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

Whereas:

• The current Canadian government is aware of the crimes against humanity by the Venezuelan government and has created a Family based Humanitarian program for Colombian, Haitians and Venezuelans suffering under current country conditions;
• Canada has been one of the six countries that submitted Venezuela to the International Criminal Court denouncing crimes against humanity as defined by the Roma Statute. Such submission prompted a preliminary examination in February 2018 by the ICJ for an investigation of Venezuela allegedly committing four of the 12 crimes prosecuted by the Roma statute. The four crimes are political persecution, forced disappearance, sexual abuse and systematic torture. The preliminary examination is ongoing;
• Several international organizations, including Canadian NGO Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR), led by former Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler, have recognized the unjust incarcerations, torture, forced disappearance and political persecution of 257 individuals, including 146 military personnel. The RWCHR has taken on three political prisoners in Venezuela: Maria Afiuni, Leopoldo Lopez and Igbert Jose Marin Chaparro. Lopez is living in exile in Spain while Afiuni and Marin Chaparro, a Venezuelan individual with a Canadian brother continues to face human rights violations despite the NGO's legal efforts and advocacy at the UN;
• Venezuela will be hosting presidential elections in December 2024. The regime has historically intensified systematic human rights violations during election periods to increase fear and increase citizen compliance with their undemocratic rules, such as no right to protest, censorship, monitored voting, coercion and no freedom of movement and association;
• Millions of Venezuelans continue to risk their lives in their aim to flee persecution and repression, causing them to seek asylum across the world; and
• At least three of the 257 political prisoners have close family relatives who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Igbert Jose Marin Chaparro has a Canadian brother, Jesus Maria Alarcon Camacho has a Canadian cousin and Oswaldo Valentin Garcia Palomo's family escaped torture and forced disappearance in Venezuela and are now permanent residents. Venezuelan agents conducted a violent search inside Igbert and Oswaldo's confinement places on Dec 20, 2023, leaving them naked and removing all their personal belongings, including books, family photos and medications. Their belongings have not been returned, which constitutes white torture and a risk to their deteriorating health situation. Garcia Palomo received death threats on Jan. 20, 2024.

Therefore, we, the undersigned, call on the Government of Canada to:

• Include political prisoners with close ties to Canada, particularly Igbert Jose Marin Chaparro and Oswaldo Valentin Garcia Palomo, in any discussion or negotiation to restore diplomatic ties between Canada and Venezuela;
• Advocate for the unconditional release of the prisoners of conscience Igbert Jose Marin Chaparro and Oswaldo Valentin Garcia Palomo, due to their strong family ties in Canada, and all political prisoners in Venezuela BEFORE any concessions given to the Venezuelan government by Canada and by the international community; and
• Request the release and further exile to Canada of Igbert Jose Marin Chaparro and Oswaldo Valentin Garcia Palomo due to their strong family ties in Canada BEFORE any concession is given to Venezuela, such as any sanction release, re-opening of mutual embassies and economic agreements.