Defend Free Speech in Venezuela
The Petition to Free Oswaldo Alvarez Paz
It has come to my understanding that Oswaldo Alvarez Paz has been arrested by the government of Venezuela for his remarks on a television talk show acknowledging the fact that Venezuela has become a haven for drug trafficking. Freedom of speech, particularly that of questioning one's government, is an essential component of basic human rights It is inadmissible that the claims presented by Oswaldo Alvarez Paz, exercising his own individual rights, be the reason for his imprisonment and continued persecution. The Human Rights Foundation has declared Oswaldo Álvarez Paz to be a “prisoner of conscience” under the Chavez regime.
In view of the above, I express solidarity and support to Dr. Alvarez Paz and demand from the Venezuelan government that:
It has come to my understanding that Oswaldo Alvarez Paz has been arrested by the government of Venezuela for his remarks on a television talk show acknowledging the fact that Venezuela has become a haven for drug trafficking. Freedom of speech, particularly that of questioning one's government, is an essential component of basic human rights It is inadmissible that the claims presented by Oswaldo Alvarez Paz, exercising his own individual rights, be the reason for his imprisonment and continued persecution. The Human Rights Foundation has declared Oswaldo Álvarez Paz to be a “prisoner of conscience” under the Chavez regime.
In view of the above, I express solidarity and support to Dr. Alvarez Paz and demand from the Venezuelan government that:
- Oswaldo Álvarez Paz be brought to trial in accordance with internationally recognized standards, or else that he be released immediately.
- All charges against Oswaldo Álvarez Paz which are not related to legitimate criminal offenses be dropped immediately.
