A/HRC/41/18 file complaints, for fear of reprisals and lack of trust in the justice system. When they do, authorities do not investigate or do not conduct prompt, effective, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigations. 55. For example, families of those killed during the mass protests of 2017 continue to face persistent obstacles to their rights to truth, justice and reparations, with no progress in the majority of investigations. Moreover, families, especially women, have been threatened and harassed by intelligence services and police, and some have been forced to leave the country. The families of men killed during operations of the Special Action Forces have not received justice either. They have faced multiple obstacles, including the reluctance of prosecutors to receive their complaints, and denials of access to information and to protection measures and psychosocial support. 56. Impunity factors identified in 2018 remain, including the lack of cooperation of security and armed forces with investigations, the tampering with crime scenes and evidence by security forces, undue delays in judicial proceedings, the high turnover of prosecutors and judges, and de facto immunity of senior officials. 42 The lack of independence of, and corruption within, the judiciary are also major obstacles faced by victims in their search for justice and reparations. 57. The Office of the Attorney General has regularly failed to comply with its obligation to investigate and prosecute perpetrators, and the Ombudsperson has remained silent vis-àvis human rights violations. Neither of these institutions, nor the Government or the police provide protection to victims and witnesses of human rights violations. Furthermore, the Attorney General has contributed to public rhetoric by stigmatizing and discrediting members of the political opposition and those critical of the Government, in violation of the principle of presumption of innocence. 58. Women are often at the forefront of the struggle for truth, justice and reparations. They follow-up and participate in investigations and criminal proceedings, often in a hostile environment. Women reported being threatened, mistreated and insulted by public officials, such as members of law enforcement, prosecutors and court staff. These women face social exclusion due to public shaming and stigmatization. In addition to seeking justice, these women often assume additional roles, they become the main caregivers, take on additional dependants, and/or become breadwinners. 59. Almost two years after its creation, the Commission on Truth, Justice, Peace and Public Tranquillity has not published its report on the political violence that took place between 1999 and 2017.43 The Commission has granted monetary compensation and has provided legal aid, psychological assistance, health care and social protection measures to 107 relatives of 50 victims who died during protests in 2017. Yet, families interviewed by OHCHR consider this financial support as an attempt to buy their silence in the absence of an impartial truth-seeking, justice and reparations process. According to the Government, as at 29 May 2019, 193 persons detained for their participation in protests have been conditionally released based on recommendations of the Commission. 44 42 43 44 12 Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Violations in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: a downward spiral with no end in sight, June 2018. The National Constitutional Assembly established the Commission on Truth, Justice, Peace and Public Tranquillity on 8 August 2017, to examine and report on political violence from 1999 to 2017, including related human rights violations. As observed by OHCHR, the Commission does not meet the international standards related to truth commissions. Information provided by the Government.