Defend Free Speech in Venezuela
Advocate of Democracy Imprisoned by Chavez for Exercising Free Speech
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has a long history of abusing his power to suppress political dissent. He has taken over the nation’s media outlets, forcing them to broadcast his speeches and limiting the speech of his opponents. Now he has moved to outright imprisonment for those who dare to speak against the government.
Oswaldo Álvarez Paz is a outspoken advocate of democracy in Venezuela who has been jailed by the Chavez regime for speaking out against the government. He was arrested on March 22nd for his remarks on a television talk show acknowledging the fact that Venezuela has become a haven for drug trafficking.
In the past Álvarez Paz was a young political leader and headed the Chamber of Deputies of Venezuela. He also was the governor of the State of Zulia and in 1993 lost the presidential election. Currently he is a lawyer and writer. Until his imprisonment he wrote a weekly column about the situation of Venezuela and the measures of Chávez’s regime. He is currently 67 years old and married.
Chávez's crony courts have charged him with conspiracy, "public instigation of criminality" and "spreading false information"--crimes that could draw sentences of 13 to 27 years.
Álvarez Paz's real crime is that of being the clear-headed conscience of Venezuela's opposition.
Oswaldo Álvarez Paz is a outspoken advocate of democracy in Venezuela who has been jailed by the Chavez regime for speaking out against the government. He was arrested on March 22nd for his remarks on a television talk show acknowledging the fact that Venezuela has become a haven for drug trafficking.
In the past Álvarez Paz was a young political leader and headed the Chamber of Deputies of Venezuela. He also was the governor of the State of Zulia and in 1993 lost the presidential election. Currently he is a lawyer and writer. Until his imprisonment he wrote a weekly column about the situation of Venezuela and the measures of Chávez’s regime. He is currently 67 years old and married.
Chávez's crony courts have charged him with conspiracy, "public instigation of criminality" and "spreading false information"--crimes that could draw sentences of 13 to 27 years.
Álvarez Paz's real crime is that of being the clear-headed conscience of Venezuela's opposition.
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Hugo Chavez will not change his despotic ways on his own. Our politicians and diplomats must apply pressure on Chavez to respect free speech and human rights.
Click here to join the letter writing campaign to free Oswaldo Alvarez Paz.
Click here to join the letter writing campaign to free Oswaldo Alvarez Paz.
