A/HRC/41/18 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 39/1, the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a comprehensive written report on the human rights situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to be presented at its forty-first session.1 2. The present report focuses on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela since 2018, while also offering an analysis of pertinent previous developments. It highlights patterns of violations that directly and indirectly affect all human rights: civil, political, economic, social and cultural. The report includes a genderbased approach, highlighting the specific experiences of women and girls. 3. The present report is based on information collected and analysed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including through field missions. From 11 to 22 March 2019, representatives of OHCHR visited the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela where they met with a wide range of State and other stakeholders in the cities of Caracas, Barquisimeto, Valencia and Ciudad Guayana. In addition, between September 2018 and April 2019, OHCHR conducted nine visits to interview Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Spain. OHCHR is grateful to the respective Governments for facilitating these visits. 4. The High Commissioner visited the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from 19 to 21 June 2019. She met with many stakeholders, including President Nicolás Maduro, the VicePresident, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, high-level officials from 17 ministries, 2 the President of the National Assembly and opposition parliamentarians. She also met with the President of the National Constituent Assembly, the Attorney General, the President of the Supreme Court of Justice and the Ombudsperson. She held meetings with representatives of the Catholic Church, the business sector, universities, students, trade unions, human rights organizations, approximately 200 victims of human rights violations, the diplomatic community and the United Nations country team. 5. In addition to accepting an OHCHR presence, the Government made several commitments and identified areas of cooperation. OHCHR will support the Government with the assessment of the main obstacles concerning access to justice and with the assessment of the National Commission for the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment. The Government has also agreed that OHCHR will be granted full access to detention centres in order to monitor the conditions of detention and speak to detainees. The Government will adopt a calendar of 10 visits by special procedure mandate holders in the next two years. In six months, OHCHR and the Government will evaluate the possibility of enhancing the presence of OHCHR and establishing a country office. 6. OHCHR conducted 558 interviews with victims and witnesses of human rights violations and other sources, including lawyers, health and media professionals, human rights defenders and ex-military and security officers. 3 It also held 159 meetings with a broad range of State and other stakeholders. 4 In line with its methodology, OHCHR sought informed consent from the sources it interviewed before using any information they provided, ensuring confidentiality when appropriate. It took all the appropriate measures to protect the identity of its sources and notes that many sources expressed fear of reprisals. 7. The present report also reflects the analysis of numerous documents which OHCHR gathered and examined, including official government documents, open source reports, 1 2 3 4 2 See A/HRC/RES/39/1. Including the ministries of the Interior, Defence, Health, Economy and Education. A total of 460 interviews were conducted in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Spain, and another 98 were conducted remotely. In Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Switzerland and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.