ÿWPC  X¶>×*'î[¼!GBŸ»f»Ä ëÄמŠxü¬úcÌ ½pZk<·¿Â8é\#òQZTÕ-uz?i•:!QS¸UçÆæëȼÍqp®#Œtd2SÌ"Sâ0q§Ñ>–ϸçÃõ$C甤qsô¢1ƒ†nÍ GK_å©ÿñ ¨t[R¸S>»s-QŒ‚6=× ˆK€ìi艽Ôk€Úó&ðòé6Mt_Ù¶eJÊ-=~uh£±0QHoˆÑ»ÎÇýýÞ¥þB>Z“iàÝgÙßGˆà;ý¿ÍøóFÛr°^};Q¡ÅÜ3ò½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ Bû ˜HP LaserJet 4P,ü,,,,,ü0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ûœ$¡¡ÔUKUS.,Ôö©., &bœ+ocument¼üœ3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ 252th 48a CCPRô\  `‹&Times New Roman dÝ ƒûœ!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡¼ôT»XXÔÓ  Óò òVENEZUELA€ó óÔ#†X¨X»¼ôT=#ÔÐ ° ÐÓ\ÓÓ  ÓÌò òÌÔ_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô€€A/36/40ó óÐ œì ÐÌ45.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/6/Add.3)€submitted€by€the€GovernmentÐ t Ä Ðof€Venezuela€at€its€248òòthóó,€249òòthóó€and€252òòndóó€€meetings€on€21€and€23€October€1980€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/SR.248,Ð ` ° Ð249€and€252).€Ð L œ ÐÌ46.€€The€report€was€introduced€by€the€representative€of€the€State€party€who€assured€the€CommitteeÐ $ t  Ðof€his€Governmentððs€willingness€to€co„operate€with€it€in€every€way€and€to€answer€any€questions€itÐ `  Ðmight€wish€to€ask€regarding€the€report.Ð üL  ÐÌ47.€€Members€of€the€Committee€expressed€their€appreciation€for€the€willingness€of€the€GovernmentÐ Ô$  Ðof€Venezuela€to€co„operate€with€the€Committee€and€praised€the€frankness€of€that€Government€inÐ À  Ðacknowledging€that€some€legal€provisions€still€in€force€were€not€in€conformity€with€the€Covenant.€Ð ¬ü  ÐThey€noted,€however,€that€Venezuela,€like€many€other€States€parties,€had€confined€its€report€largelyÐ ˜è Ðto€comparing€provisions€of€the€Venezuelan€Constitution€and€legislation€with€those€of€the€Covenant.€Ð „Ô ÐThat€was€not€enough€to€give€a€full€picture€of€the€factors€and€difficulties€met€in€the€implementationÐ pÀ Ðof€the€Covenant€and€of€the€progress€made€in€the€enjoyment€of€human€rights€as€stipulated€underÐ \¬ Ðarticle€40€of€the€Covenant.€€It€was€further€pointed€out€that€constitutions€everywhere€guaranteed€manyÐ H˜ Ðof€the€rights€and€freedoms€provided€for€in€the€Covenant,€but€that€these€rights€and€freedoms€onlyÐ 4„ Ðbecame€a€reality€when€implementing€laws€and€administrative€measures€lent€substance€to€them.Ð  p ÐÌ48.€€In€connection€with€article€1€of€the€Covenant,€information€was€requested€on€the€policy€ofÐ øH ÐVenezuela€towards€the€promotion€of€the€right€of€self„determination€in€other€Latin€America€countries,Ð ä4 ÐSouth€Africa,€the€Middle€East€and€Asia.Ð Ð  ÐÌÔ_Ô48aÔ_Ô.€€As€regards€article€2€of€the€Covenant,€reference€was€made€to€the€undertaking€by€States€partiesÐ ¨ø Ðto€respect€and€to€ensure€to€all€individuals€within€their€territory€the€rights€recognized€in€the€CovenantÐ ”ä Ðwithout€distinction€of€any€kind€and€to€certain€articles€of€the€Constitution€of€Venezuela€regarding€theÐ € Ð Ðrights€enjoyed€by€foreigners€and€by€naturalized€citizens.€€Clarification€was€requested€on€the€provisionÐ l!¼ Ðthat€foreigners€had€the€same€duties€and€rights€as€Venezuelans,€with€the€limitations€and€exceptionsÐ X"¨  Ðestablished€by€the€Constitution€and€the€laws,€and€on€the€distinction€embodied€in€the€provision€thatÐ D#”! Ðany€naturalized€Venezuela€citizens€who€had€entered€the€country€at€the€age€of€eight€or€later€would€notÐ 0$€" Ðenjoy€the€same€rights€as€those€who€had€entered€the€country€before€they€reached€the€age€of€seven.€Ð %l # ÐMore€information€was€also€sought€on€the€status€of€the€Covenant€in€Venezuelan€domestic€law€andÐ &X!$ Ðon€the€status€of€special€laws€if€the€Covenant€had€been€incorporated€in€a€special€law,€on€whether€theÐ ô&D"% ÐSupreme€Court€of€Justice€was€empowered€to€prevent€the€implementation€of€laws€and€acts€of€anyÐ à'0#& Ðkind€which€might€be€contrary€to€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant;€and€on€the€proposed€reforms€thatÐ Ì($' Ðhad€been€submitted€to€Congress€in€1979€with€a€view€to€bringing€Venezuelan€law€into€line€with€theÐ ¸)%( Ðprovisions€of€the€Covenant.€€Questions€were€asked€as€to€the€different€between€the€remedy€of€òòhabeasÐ ¤*ô%) Ðcorpusóó€and€the€remedy€of€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó,€how€was€it€possible,€as€stated€in€the€report,€that€the€remedy€ofÐ +à&* ÐòòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó€was€available€when€the€provisions€governing€its€exercise€were€not€yet€in€existence;€whetherÐ |,Ì'+ Ðthere€were€any€specialized€administrative€courts€that€had€competence€in€areas€in€which€individualsÐ h-¸(, ÐÔ_Ômight€claim€to€have€been€injured€by€arbitrary€administrative€acts;€what€action€the€Public€ProsecutorÐ ° Ðhad€taken€against€the€national€executive€and€against€the€security€forces,€and€on€what€occasions,€toÐ œì Ðdefend€human€rights€in€cases€of€reported€abuses€of€authority,€how€his€independence€was€ensured€andÐ ˆØ Ðin€what€circumstances€could€the€Public€Prosecutor€be€removed.Ð tÄ ÐÌ49.€€Commenting€on€article€3€of€the€Covenant,€members€of€the€Committee€noted€that€the€reportÐ L œ Ðrecognized€that€a€few€discriminatory€provisions€against€women€still€existed€and€stressed€that€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðachievement€of€equality€between€men€and€women€was€not€merely€a€legislative€problem.€€ExperienceÐ $ t Ðhad€shown€that€many€States€parties€encountered€difficulties€in€ensuring€real€equality€between€menÐ  ` Ðand€women€before€the€law.€Information€was€requested€on€the€steps€taken€to€remedy€the€legalÐ ü L  Ðsituation€in€that€respect€and€on€the€participation€of€women€in€the€economic,€political€and€cultural€lifeÐ è 8  Ðof€the€country.€Ð Ô$  ÐÌ50.€€In€connection€with€article€4€of€the€Covenant,€a€concern€was€expressed€at€the€fact€that,€under€theÐ ¬ü  ÐConstitution,€some€guarantees€could€be€suspended€under€wide€conditions€than€those€laid€down€inÐ ˜è  Ðthe€Covenant€and€with€less€exceptions€than€stipulated€therein€and€that,€according€to€the€report,€theÐ „Ô  Ðsuspension€or€restriction€of€guarantees€was€considered€to€be€one€of€the€most€effective€meansÐ pÀ Ðavailable€to€the€National€Executive€to€protect€the€institutions,€order€and€peace€of€the€Republic.€€TheÐ \¬ Ðrepresentative€was€asked€whether€at€the€present€time€there€was€any€state€of€emergency€or€disorderÐ H˜ Ðin€Venezuela€which€would€warrant€the€restriction€or€suspension€of€the€guarantees€provided€for€in€theÐ 4„ ÐConstitution.€Ð  p ÐÌ51.€€Commenting€on€article€6€of€the€Covenant,€members€of€the€Committee€commended€VenezuelaÐ øH Ðfor€having€abolished€the€death€penalty€as€early€as€1864.€€In€order€to€know€how€the€right€to€life€wasÐ ä4 Ðguaranteed€in€practice,€it€was€asked€what€legal€Ô_ÔrgimeÔ_Ô€governed€the€use€of€fire€arms€by€the€policeÐ Ð  Ðforces.€€It€was€noted€that€the€report€referred€only€to€the€prohibition€of€capital€punishment€and€thatÐ ¼  Ðthe€right€to€life€not€only€required€the€authorities€to€refrain€from€arbitrarily€depriving€an€individualÐ ¨ø Ðof€life€but€to€take€positive€steps€to€reduce€infant€mortality,€illiteracy,€unemployment€and,€forÐ ”ä Ðexample,€the€risk€of€falling€victim€to€a€political€or€common€law€murder.€€Information€was€requestedÐ €Ð Ðon€the€Governmentððs€efforts€in€those€areas.Ð l¼ ÐÌ52.€€Regarding€articles€7€and€10€of€the€Covenant,€it€was€pointed€out€that€it€was€not€enough€to€quoteÐ D!” Ðthe€provisions€of€the€Constitution€and€of€the€Criminal€Code€which€prohibited€torture.€€The€reportÐ 0"€  Ðshould€indicate€whether€Venezuela€observed€the€Standard€Minimum€Rules€for€the€Treatment€ofÐ #l! ÐPrisoners€laid€down€by€the€United€Nations€and€whether€there€were€any€bodies€responsible€forÐ $X" Ðverifying€the€treatment€to€which€prisoners€were€subjected,€what€steps€were€taken€to€investigateÐ ô$D # Ðcharges€of€ill„treatment€at€the€hands€of€the€police€and€security€services,€whether€investigations€wereÐ à%0!$ Ðinstituted€promptly€and,€if€so,€what€their€outcome€was.€€It€was€also€asked€whether€there€existed€inÐ Ì&"% ÐVenezuela€any€express€legislative€provisions€prohibiting€medical€or€scientific€experiments€on€peopleÐ ¸'#& Ðwithout€their€full€consent;€what€laws€or€regulations€governed€non„voluntary€confinement€inÐ ¤(ô#' Ðpsychiatric€hospitals;€and€what€the€purpose€was€of€the€classification€of€detainees€referred€to€in€theÐ )à$( ÐPrisons€Act€and€Regulations.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ53.€€With€reference€to€article€8€of€the€Covenant,€it€was€asked€whether€express€provisions€existedÐ T,¤'+ Ðwhich€would€prohibit€forced€labour€and€to€what€extent€the€ð ðwork€coloniesðð€referred€to€in€the€reportÐ @-(, Ðcould€be€justified€under€article€8€of€the€Covenant.Ð ° ÐÌ54.€€As€regards€article€9€of€the€Covenant,€one€member€noted€that,€according€to€the€Code€of€CriminalÐ ˆØ ÐProcedure,€an€accused€was€not€entitled€to€have€a€lawyer€until€the€preliminary€investigation€had€beenÐ tÄ Ðconcluded€and€he€pointed€out€that€Ô_ÔthatÔ_Ô€was€not€only€a€departure€from€the€guarantees€that€should€beÐ `° Ðafforded€to€the€accused€but€was€also€in€conflict€with€the€Constitution€of€Venezuela€which€providedÐ L œ Ðthat€defence€was€an€inviolable€right€at€every€stage€and€level€of€trial.€€Questions€were€asked€as€to€whatÐ 8 ˆ Ðwas€the€maximum€legally„fixed€time€limit€within€which€an€accused€person€had€to€be€brought€beforeÐ $ t Ðthe€courts;€what€laws€or€regulations€governed€the€conditions€and€length€of€detention€when€a€personÐ  ` Ðwas€held€òòincommunicadoóó;€whether€any€persons€were€still€detained€because€of€their€political€viewsÐ ü L  Ðor€activities€and,€if€so,€under€what€legal€provisions€they€were€being€kept€in€detention,€how€manyÐ è 8  Ðwere€they€and€whether€they€would€be€brought€to€trial;€whether€the€security€forces€and€armed€forcesÐ Ô$  Ðalways€carried€out€their€duties€in€liaison€with€the€civilian€government€or€whether€they€actedÐ À  Ðindependently€of€it;€and€what€moral€or€pecuniary€compensation€did€criminal€or€civil€law€provide€inÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€case€of€illegal€arrest€or€detention.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ55.€€In€connection€with€article€13€of€the€Covenant,€members€of€the€Committee€noted€that€aliens€whoÐ pÀ Ðwere€legally€on€Venezuelan€territory€were€expressly€precluded€by€law€from€making€any€appealÐ \¬ Ðagainst€an€expulsion€order€and€pointed€out€that€such€a€provision€was€not€in€conformity€with€theÐ H˜ ÐCovenant.€€The€statement€in€the€report€to€the€effect€that€the€rule€was€in€fact€implicitly€revoked€by€theÐ 4„ Ðprovisions€of€article€13€of€the€Covenant€was€unconvincing,€for€the€mere€incorporation€of€theÐ  p ÐCovenant€into€the€internal€legal€order€was€not€sufficient€in€itself€to€rectify€such€a€situation€becauseÐ  \ Ðthere€could€be€no€appeal€unless€there€was€express€provision€and€an€established€procedure€for€appeals.€Ð øH ÐInformation€was€requested€on€the€rights€enjoyed€by€the€many€foreigners€who€entered€Venezuela€toÐ ä4 Ðseek€asylum€or€take€up€work€and€on€the€treatment€accorded€to€these€foreigners€particularlyÐ Ð  ÐColombians,€by€the€police€and€customs€officers.Ð ¼  ÐÌ56.€€Referring€to€article€14€of€the€Covenant,€members€sought€information€on€the€laws€which€ensuredÐ ”ä Ðthe€independence€of€the€judiciary€particularly€with€regard€to€the€appointment,€removal€andÐ €Ð Ðsuspension€of€judges€on€the€law€which€established€the€powers€of€the€Council€of€the€Judiciary€andÐ l¼ Ðon€the€public€authorities€represented€in€this€Council;€on€whether€members€of€the€Public€ProsecutorððsÐ X ¨ ÐDepartment€could€be€transferred€or€punished;€on€the€guarantees€enjoyed€by€anyone€accused€of€aÐ D!” Ðcriminal€charge€as€stipulated€by€article€14€of€the€Covenant;€on€the€cases€in€which€civilians€might€beÐ 0"€  Ðtried€by€military€courts€and€on€the€reasons€for€removing€them€from€the€jurisdiction€of€ordinaryÐ #l! Ðcourts;€on€whether€the€procedures€of€military€courts€satisfied€the€requirements€of€the€Covenant€andÐ $X" Ðon€whether€a€person€convicted€by€a€military€court€could€appeal€to€a€higher€tribunal;€and€on€theÐ ô$D # Ðprocedure€applicable€to€minors,€on€the€courts€before€which€they€could€be€brought€and€on€the€socialÐ à%0!$ Ðrehabilitation€measures€available€to€these€courts€for€the€benefit€of€minors.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ57.€€Commenting€on€article€18€of€the€Covenant,€members€asked€which€religions€were€practised€inÐ ¤(ô#' ÐVenezuela,€whether€the€State€adopted€a€uniform€attitude€to€them,€and€whether€any€one€religionÐ )à$( Ðreceived€State€aid€of€any€kind.€€Clarification€was€requested€on€the€statements€in€the€report€thatÐ |*Ì%) Ðreligious€faith€should€be€subject€to€the€ð ðsupreme€inspection€of€the€National€Executive€in€conformityÐ h+¸&* Ðwith€the€lawðð€and€it€was€asked€what€precisely€such€inspection€entailed€and€on€what€basis€it€wasÐ T,¤'+ Ðcarried€out.€€Quoting€an€article€of€the€Constitution€which€provided,€òòinter€aliaóó,€that€ð ðsince€theÐ @-(, ÐRepublic€possesses€the€right€of€ecclesiastical€patronage,€this€will€be€exercised€according€to€lawðð€oneÐ ° Ðmember€asked€how€the€right€was€implemented€in€practice€and€how€it€was€compatible€with€theÐ œì ÐCovenant.€€Noting€that€the€Constitution€provided€that€military€service€was€compulsory,€someÐ ˆØ Ðmembers€asked€whether€conscientious€objection€was€taken€into€account€and€whether€other€forms€ofÐ tÄ Ðservice€could€replace€it.Ð `° ÐÌ58.€€Regarding€the€freedom€of€expression€provided€for€in€article€19€of€the€Covenant,€clarification€wasÐ 8 ˆ Ðrequested€of€the€ð ðstatements€which€constitute€offencesðð€mentioned€in€the€Constitution€and€it€wasÐ $ t Ðasked€how€the€courts€conceived€the€protection€of€the€national€interest€in€matters€relating€to€freedomÐ  ` Ðof€expression€and€whether€there€were€any€administrative€measures€which€enabled€all€sections€of€theÐ ü L  Ðpopulation€to€use€the€mass€media€such€as€radio€and€television.Ð è 8  ÐÌ59.€€Commenting€on€article€20€of€the€Covenant,€some€members€commended€the€prohibition€by€theÐ À  ÐConstitution€of€propaganda€for€war€in€Venezuela,€more€so€as€an€anti„war€legislation€was€rare€in€LatinÐ ¬ü  ÐAmerica.€€It€was€asked€whether€any€violation€of€that€provision€entailed€the€application€of€penaltiesÐ ˜è  Ðprovided€for€by€the€Criminal€Code€and€whether€there€existed€a€concurrent€prohibition€of€anyÐ „Ô  Ðadvocacy€of€national,€racial€or€religious€hatred,€in€conformity€with€article€20€of€the€Covenant.Ð pÀ ÐÌ60.€€In€relation€to€articles€21€and€22€of€the€Covenant,€questions€were€asked€as€to€whether€the€lawÐ H˜ Ðgoverning€meetings€in€public€places€provided€for€in€the€Constitution€had€been€promulgated€and,€ifÐ 4„ Ðso,€what€were€its€provisions,€and,€in€particular,€whether€any€distinction€was€made€between€nationalsÐ  p Ðand€other€persons€regarding€the€enjoyment€of€the€right€of€assembly€and€the€right€of€peaceful,Ð  \ Ðunarmed€demonstration.€The€representative€was€also€asked€whether€the€legislation€to€guarantee€theÐ øH Ðequality€of€political€parties€before€the€law,€provided€for€in€the€Constitution,€actually€existed;€whetherÐ ä4 Ðthe€right€to€form€and€join€trade€unions€was€subject€to€restrictions;€and€whether€trade€unions€had€aÐ Ð  Ðpurely€economic€role€or€whether€they€also€had€a€political€role.€Ð ¼  ÐÌ61.€€As€regards€article€23€of€the€Covenant,€members€noted€that€the€legal€age€for€marriage€was€14€forÐ ”ä Ðmales€and€12€for€females.€€They€wondered€whether€persons€of€such€age€were€capable€of€giving€theirÐ €Ð Ðfree€and€full€consent€in€conformity€with€the€Covenant,€whether€any€consideration€had€been€given€toÐ l¼ Ðchanging€the€age€at€which€marriage€might€be€validly€contracted€and€in€what€circumstances€consentÐ X ¨ Ðto€marriage€was€vitiated.€They€also€noted€with€concern€the€acknowledgement€in€the€report€that€inÐ D!” ÐVenezuela€there€was€no€equality€of€rights€and€responsibilities€of€spouses€as€to€marriage€andÐ 0"€  Ðwondered€what€action€the€Government€was€proposing€to€take€in€order€to€bring€its€domestic€law€intoÐ #l! Ðline€with€the€Covenant.€€Members€also€asked€whether€the€State€paid€allowances€for€large€families;Ð $X" Ðwhat€laws€governed€the€property€of€a€married€couple€given€the€predominant€role€of€the€husband;Ð ô$D # Ðwhat€attitude€was€adopted€by€the€administrative€authorities€and€judges€in€divorce€proceedings,Ð à%0!$ Ðparticularly€in€cases€involving€adultery,€and€whether€that€attitude€was€non„discriminatory€in€termsÐ Ì&"% Ðof€sex€or€whether€the€man€was€treated€more€indulgently€than€the€woman.€Clarification€was€alsoÐ ¸'#& Ðrequested€on€the€statement€in€the€report€that€ð ða€petition€for€divorce€or€separation€may€be€initiatedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðonly€by€the€spouse€who€had€not€given€grounds€thereforðð€and€of€its€application€in€practice.Ð )à$( ÐÌ62.€€Commenting€on€article€24€of€the€Covenant,€members€asked€whether€child€labour€was€authorizedÐ h+¸&* Ðor€practised€and,€if€so,€to€what€extent€and€which€provisions€regulated€it€and€what€were€theÐ T,¤'+ ÐGovernmentððs€plans€to€eliminate€it;€whether€an€illegitimate€child€could€obtain€recognition€by€hisÐ @-(, Ðfather€through€the€courts€and€whether€a€distinction€was€made€between€legitimate€and€illegitimateÐ ° Ðchildren€regarding€inheritance.Ð œì ÐÌ63.€€With€reference€to€article€25€in€conjunction€with€article€26€of€the€Covenant,€some€members€notedÐ tÄ Ðthat€only€citizens€born€in€Venezuela€could€hold€high€public€office€or€be€deputies€or€senators.€€SinceÐ `° Ðthe€Constitution€admitted€the€possibility€of€a€person€becoming€a€Venezuelan€citizen€byÐ L œ Ðnaturalization,€they€raised€the€question€whether€the€provisions€governing€access€to€certain€officesÐ 8 ˆ Ðdid€not€establish€a€discrimination€based€on€national€origin,€or€birth.€€Noting€also€that€illiterateÐ $ t Ðcitizens€were€not€eligible€to€hold€public€office,€members€inquired€that€measures€were€being€takenÐ  ` Ðto€eliminate€illiteracy€and€thus€to€promote€equality€in€the€enjoyment€of€the€right€to€public€office.€€TheÐ ü L  Ðquestion€was€asked€whether,€since€voting€was€compulsory€by€law,€this€was€compatible€with€theÐ è 8  ÐCovenant;€whether€the€law€provided€for€penalties€in€the€event€of€failure€to€comply€with€thisÐ Ô$  Ðobligation€and€what€those€penalties€were.€€The€question€was€also€asked€whether€the€provision€in€theÐ À  ÐConstitution€that€the€right€to€vote€in€municipal€elections€could€be€extended€to€foreigners,€subject€toÐ ¬ü  Ðcertain€conditions,€was€in€practice€implemented.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ64.€€In€connection€with€article€27€of€the€Covenant,€information€was€requested€on€the€specialÐ pÀ Ðmeasures€required€for€the€protection€of€indigenous€communities€and€their€progressive€incorporationÐ \¬ Ðin€the€life€of€the€nation,€on€whether€the€Indian€communities€desired€such€incorporation€andÐ H˜ Ðparticipated€in€the€taking€of€decisions€which€affect€them,€on€whether€the€provision€for€proportionalÐ 4„ Ðrepresentation€of€minorities€in€the€Chamber€of€Deputies€affected€Indians,€on€the€number€ofÐ  p Ðindigenous€inhabitants€and€of€the€groups€they€were€divided€into,€on€their€standard€of€living€and€levelÐ  \ Ðof€education€compared€with€that€of€the€rest€of€the€population,€on€the€protection€afforded€them€underÐ øH Ðthe€special€measures€or€otherwise€against€the€seizure€of€their€traditional€homelands€for€the€purposeÐ ä4 Ðof€agricultural€or€industrial€expansion€and€on€the€steps€taken€to€guarantee€to€them€the€effectiveÐ Ð  Ðenjoyment€of€their€rights€under€the€Covenant.€€It€was€also€asked€how€the€special€protection€to€beÐ ¼  Ðaccorded€to€indigenous€peoples€was€legally€reconciled€with€the€concepts€or€equality€before€the€lawÐ ¨ø Ðand€equal€protection€by€the€law,€whether€that€contradiction€had€been€examined€in€the€courts€and€inÐ ”ä ÐCongress€and,€if€so,€how€the€question€had€been€settled.Ð €Ð ÐÌ65.€€Replying€to€questions€raised€by€members€of€the€Committee,€the€representative€of€VenezuelaÐ X ¨ Ðstressed€that€the€replies€given€by€him€would€be€of€a€preliminary€nature€and€that€the€official€repliesÐ D!” Ðof€his€Government€would€be€forwarded€in€due€course€by€the€competent€official€organs€of€his€country.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ66.€€In€respect€of€article€1€of€the€Covenant,€he€stated€that€his€country€supported€and€voted€in€favourÐ $X" Ðof€self„determination€in€the€various€international€forums.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ67.€€As€regards€article€2€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€pointed€out€that,€with€the€exception€ofÐ Ì&"% Ðpolitical€rights,€aliens€within€his€country€enjoyed€the€same€rights€as€Venezuelans;€that€aliens€andÐ ¸'#& Ðnaturalized€Venezuelans€had€certain€political€rights€in€respect€of€public€and€municipal€office€and€thatÐ ¤(ô#' Ðit€was€only€logical€that€a€country€of€immigration€like€Venezuela€should€have€certain€rules€to€protectÐ )à$( Ðthe€rights€of€those€who€were€Venezuelans€by€birth.€€He€pointed€out€that€in€Venezuela,€special€lawsÐ |*Ì%) Ðwere€equated,€especially€in€the€case€of€international€agreements,€with€the€basic€laws€which€governedÐ h+¸&* Ðsuch€institutions€as€the€Supreme€Court,€the€Public€Prosecutorððs€Department€and€the€Office€of€theÐ T,¤'+ ÐController„General.€€As€for€the€difference€between€the€remedies€of€òòhabeas€corpusóó€and€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó,€heÐ @-(, Ðstated€that€the€latter€protected€all€the€individual€rights€laid€down€in€the€Constitution€whereas€theÐ ° Ðformer,€which€was€specifically€designed€to€protect€personal€liberty,€provided€for€a€special€procedureÐ œì Ðto€ensure€that€no€person€could€be€imprisoned€without€a€legal€cause€being€assigned€in€the€warrant€ofÐ ˆØ Ðcommittal.€€Although€the€laws€regulating€those€remedies€had€not€yet€been€promulgated,€it€wasÐ tÄ Ðperfectly€possible€to€invoke€them€under€the€Constitution.€€The€Public€Prosecutorððs€Department€wasÐ `° Ðan€autonomous€body€which€ensured€compliance€with€the€Constitution€and€the€law,€was€the€surestÐ L œ Ðguarantee€of€the€constitutional€order€and€the€most€effective€safeguard€of€individual€rights.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ68.€€Replying€to€questions€raised€under€article€3€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€referred€to€a€BillÐ  ` Ðintroduced€by€the€Executive€in€1980€for€the€partial€reform€of€the€Civil€Code€in€matters€pertainingÐ ü L  Ðto,€òòinter€aliaóó,€the€legal€situation€of€women.€€That€measure€constituted€an€important€step€towardsÐ è 8  Ðimproving€the€situation€in€1979€of€a€Ministry€of€State€for€the€Participation€of€Women€inÐ Ô$  ÐDevelopment,€which€was€headed€by€a€woman.€€Many€women€were€engaged€in€the€diplomatic€serviceÐ À  Ðand€in€the€judiciary.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ69.€€Regarding€the€concern€expressed€by€members€of€the€Committee€in€connection€with€theÐ „Ô  Ðprovisions€of€article€4€of€the€Covenant,€he€stated€that,€in€view€of€the€conditions€prevailing€inÐ pÀ ÐVenezuela€after€long€periods€of€dictatorship,€it€was€not€surprising€that€the€legislator€had€assigned€toÐ \¬ Ðthe€President€the€power€necessary€to€protect€democracy.€€He€pointed€out€that€nearly€16€years€hadÐ H˜ Ðelapsed€since€the€last€decision€had€been€taken€to€declare€a€state€of€emergency€and€suspendÐ 4„ Ðguarantees.€€In€the€event€that€Venezuela€was€compelled€to€adopt€a€similar€measure€in€the€future,€itÐ  p Ðwould€follow€the€reporting€procedure€set€out€in€article€4€of€the€Covenant.€€He€informed€theÐ  \ ÐCommittee€that€the€competent€authorities€in€his€country€would€carefully€analyse€any€possible€conflictÐ øH Ðthat€may€exist€between€the€Covenant€and€the€Constitution€concerning€the€suspension€of€rightsÐ ä4 Ðguaranteed€under€the€Covenant.Ð Ð  ÐÌ70.€€In€reply€to€questions€raised€under€articles€7,€9,€10€and€14€of€the€Covenant,€the€representativeÐ ¨ø Ðstated€that€there€were€legal€procedures€to€enable€a€person€whose€rights€had€been€infringed,€whetherÐ ”ä Ðby€third€parties€or€by€illegal€acts€of€the€public€authorities,€to€lodge€a€complaint.€€The€time„limitsÐ €Ð Ðprescribed€for€each€stage€of€the€trial€proceedings€were€to€be€found€in€the€Codes€of€Criminal€and€CivilÐ l¼ ÐProcedure.€€The€right€of€a€person€who€did€not€speak€Spanish€to€be€supplied€with€an€interpreter€if€heÐ X ¨ Ðhad€to€appear€before€the€courts€was€embodied€in€the€law.€€He€informed€the€Committee€that,€in€manyÐ D!” Ðcases,€juvenile€courts€were€presided€over€by€women€and€that€work€was€currently€in€progress€on€theÐ 0"€  Ðpartial€amendment€of€the€Code€of€Criminal€Proceedings€with€a€view€to€streamlining€the€criminalÐ #l! Ðjustice€system€and€speeding€up€trials.Ð $X" ÐÌ71.€€In€respect€of€the€questions€put€to€him€under€article€13€of€the€Covenant,€he€stressed€that€all€theÐ à%0!$ Ðpersons€who€had€found€in€Venezuela€a€land€of€asylum€had€become€fully€integrated€into€VenezuelanÐ Ì&"% Ðlife€and€their€children€were€fully„fledged€Venezuelans.€€The€problem€of€Colombians€who€did€not€haeÐ ¸'#& Ðproper€papers€was,€however,€an€extremely€sensitive€one€which€could€best€be€dealt€with€by€hisÐ ¤(ô#' ÐGovernment€in€writing.Ð )à$( ÐÌ72.€€Responding€to€questions€raised€under€article€18€of€the€Covenant,€he€pointed€out€that€VenezuelaÐ h+¸&* Ðtolerated€all€kinds€of€religion€as€well€as€various€organizations€and€colonies€of€people€belonging€toÐ T,¤'+ Ðsundry€sects€and€having€varied€practices.€€The€law€did€not€provide€for€conscientious€objection.€Ð @-(, ÐUnder€a€new€law,€however,€there€were€several€grounds€on€which€a€person€could€be€excused€fromÐ ° Ðmilitary€service.Ð œì ÐÌ73.€€In€connection€with€article€19€of€the€Covenant,€he€stated€that€the€law€on€the€press,€which€wasÐ tÄ Ðdesigned€to€prevent€abuses,€had€still€not€been€promulgated.€€Various€problems€had€arisen€becauseÐ `° Ðthere€were€certain€persons€in€control€of€newspaper€corporations€who€conducted€campaigns€that€wereÐ L œ Ðnot€conducive€to€the€public€good€and€might€even€undermine€international€relations.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ74.€€As€regards€articles€21€and€22€of€the€Covenant,€he€stated€that€certain€municipal€by„laws€had€beenÐ  ` Ðenacted€concerning€the€right€of€assembly€but€that€there€was€normally€complete€freedom€in€the€matter.€Ð ü L  ÐFree€trade€unions€were€permitted€and€there€were€many€organizations€active€in€political€life.€€OtherÐ è 8  Ðtypes€of€organizations€were€also€permitted€but€were€regulated€by€law.Ð Ô$  ÐÌ75.€€Replying€to€questions€raised€under€articles€23€and€24€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€pointedÐ ¬ü  Ðout€that€the€age€at€which€marriage€could€be€contracted€had€been€determined€by€reference€to€the€ageÐ ˜è  Ðat€which€it€was€possible€to€procreate€or€conceive.€€However,€by€law,€a€woman€under€the€age€of€18Ð „Ô  Ðand€a€man€under€the€age€of€21€had€to€obtain€their€parentsðð€permission€to€marry.€€He€conceded,Ð pÀ Ðhowever,€that€the€whole€position€required€reconsideration.€€Matters€pertaining€to€the€family€and€theÐ \¬ Ðadministration€of€the€joint€estate€of€husband€and€wife€were€included€in€a€Bill€introduced€by€theÐ H˜ ÐExecutive€in€1980€for€the€partial€reform€of€the€Civil€Code.€€As€matters€stood,€an€illegitimate€childÐ 4„ Ðcould€inherit€only€half€as€much€as€a€legitimate€child.€A€Bill€was€before€Congress€to€make€legitimateÐ  p Ðand€illegitimate€children€equal€in€all€respects,€particularly€with€regard€to€succession.€€A€Council€forÐ  \ Ðthe€Child€existed€in€Venezuela€to€deal€with€all€matters€concerning€Children€and€their€problems€inÐ øH Ðthe€family.€€Minors€could€institute€proceedings€to€establish€recognition€of€paternity.Ð ä4 ÐÌ76.€€Responding€to€questions€put€to€him€under€article€27€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€statedÐ ¼  Ðthat€the€Indian€population€of€Venezuela€occupied€large€tracts€of€sparsely€populated€land€along€theÐ ¨ø Ðborder€with€Columbia€and€in€the€federal€territories.€€They€had€their€own€languages€and€theÐ ”ä ÐGovernment€was€carrying€out€a€study€of€their€communities.€€Any€moves€to€integrate€them€into€theÐ €Ð Ðnational€life€were€made€solely€for€their€own€benefit.Ð l¼ ÐÌ77.€€The€representative€reiterated€his€earlier€statement€that€the€Government€would€be€pleased€to€replyÐ D!” Ðmore€fully€in€writing€to€the€questions€raised.Ð  0"€  ÐÔ_Ôò òCCPR€€A/40/40ó óÐ ° ÐÌ147.€€The€Committee€considered€the€supplementary€report€of€Venezuela€(CCPR/C/6/Add.8)€at€itsÐ ˆØ Ð556òòthóó€and€557òòthóó€meetings,€on€30€October€1984€(CCPR/C/SR.556€and€557).€òò15óó/Ð tÄ ÐÌ148.€€The€report€contained€a€brief€introduction€to€seven€main€issues€which€were€then€discussed€inÐ L œ Ðmore€detail.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ149.€€The€Chairman€invited€the€representative€of€Venezuela€to€introduce€the€supplementary€reportÐ  ` Ðand€to€respond€to€questions€which€had€been€asked€in€connection€with€the€initial€report.Ð ü L  ÐÌ150.€€Turning€first€to€the€question€of€the€status€of€the€Covenant€under€Venezuelan€law,€theÐ Ô$  Ðrepresentative€of€the€State€party€noted€that€under€article€128€of€the€Constitution€of€Venezuela€treatiesÐ À  Ðrequired€approval€under€a€special€law€in€order€to€have€the€force€of€domestic€law.€€After€approval€byÐ ¬ü  ÐCongress,€promulgation€by€the€President,€publication€in€the€official€gazette€and€registration€with€theÐ ˜è  ÐUnited€Nations,€a€treaty€was€applicable€both€internally€and€externally€and€had€a€status€second€onlyÐ „Ô  Ðto€the€Constitution.€€As€such,€once€a€treaty€had€been€incorporated€into€domestic€law€Parliament€hadÐ pÀ Ðno€power€to€revoke€or€modify€any€treaty€provisions€unilaterally.€€He€also€confirmed€that,€since€theÐ \¬ Ðlist€of€rights€and€guarantees€set€forth€in€the€Constitution€was€not€exhaustive,€Venezuelan€legislativeÐ H˜ Ðorgans€were€completely€at€liberty€to€supplement€such€rights€by€making€use€of€elements€in€theÐ 4„ ÐCovenant.Ð  p ÐÌ151.€€Since€human€rights€were€recognized€in€the€Venezuelan€Constitution,€citizens€could€challengeÐ øH Ðbefore€the€Supreme€Court€of€Justice€the€constitutionality€or€legality€of€any€act€of€the€State€such€asÐ ä4 Ðlaws,€decrees€or€administrative€acts€that€they€deemed€prejudicial€to€the€exercise€of€such€rights.€Ð Ð  ÐUnder€article€206€of€the€Constitution€compensation€could€be€sought€by€individuals€for€any€loss€orÐ ¼  Ðdamage€they€might€have€suffered€from€such€acts.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ152.€€Citizens€could€also€have€recourse€to€the€Executive€in€seeking€administrative€remedies€byÐ €Ð Ðexercising€their€right€of€petition,€which€was€enshrined€in€article€67€of€the€Constitution.€€Mindful€ofÐ l¼ Ðthe€need€to€improve€the€practical€implementation€of€human€rights€provisions€set€forth€in€theÐ X ¨ ÐConstitution€and€the€Covenant,€an€Administrative€Procedures€Act€had€been€adopted€by€theÐ D!” ÐGovernment€in€June€1981,€which€provided,€òòinter€aliaóó,€that€public€authorities€must€act€upon€petitionsÐ 0"€  Ðwithin€20€days€of€their€submission,€failing€which€the€applicant€would€be€free€to€apply€to€the€nextÐ #l! Ðhigher€instance€for€an€appropriate€remedy.Ð $X" ÐÌ153.€€In€connection€with€questions€that€had€been€raised€concerning€the€right€of€òòamparoóó,€referred€toÐ à%0!$ Ðin€article€49€of€the€Constitution,€the€representative€pointed€out€that,€although€no€act€had€been€passedÐ Ì&"% Ðto€enforce€that€right,€citizens€could€none€the€less€exercise€it,€since€article€50€of€the€ConstitutionÐ ¸'#& Ðspecifically€provided€that€the€absence€of€legislation€regulating€rights€set€forth€in€the€ConstitutionÐ ¤(ô#' Ðshould€not€restrict€the€exercise€of€such€rights.Ð )à$( ÐÌòòßA€Y )¹4,Œdª2E¹4,ŒAßÌà  àÌà  à15óó/€€The€initial€report€of€Venezuela€(CCPR/C/6/Add.3)€was€considered€by€the€Ô_ÔCommitteeÐ @-(, Ðat€its€248òòthóó,€249òòthóó€and€252òòndóó€meetings€on€21€and€23€October€1980€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/SR.248,€249€and€252).€Ð ° ÐÌ154.€€Addressing€questions€raised€concerning€article€4€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€stated€thatÐ ˆØ Ðthe€Venezuelan€Constitution€and€legislation€were€fully€in€conformity€with€and€perhaps€even€moreÐ tÄ Ðliberal€in€safeguarding€against€derogations€from€obligations€during€public€emergencies€than€articleÐ `° Ð4€of€the€Covenant€itself.€€In€that€connection€he€referred€in€particular€to€article€241€of€the€ConstitutionÐ L œ Ðwhich€prohibited€the€suspension€or€restriction€of€fundamental€rights€guaranteed€under€variousÐ 8 ˆ Ðconstitutional€or€legal€provisions,€such€as€the€right€to€life€and€the€rights€not€to€be€subjected€to€torture,Ð $ t Ðslavery€or€òòex€post€factoóó€criminal€legislation.€€He€noted€further€that€the€rights€and€guarantees€set€forthÐ  ` Ðin€the€Constitution€had€not€been€suspended€during€the€past€21€years€and€that€the€Presidentððs€powerÐ ü L  Ðto€suspend€or€restrict€such€rights€was€carefully€circumscribed,€with€the€functioning€and€prerogativesÐ è 8  Ðof€the€organs€of€national€power€„€namely,€the€judiciary€and€the€legislature€„€being€unaffected€by€anyÐ Ô$  Ðmeasures€the€President€might€be€prompted€to€take€in€a€public€emergency.€Ð À  ÐÌ155.€€Regarding€the€question€of€publicity€in€Venezuela€for€human€rights,€the€representative€referredÐ ˜è  Ðto€a€Presidential€decree€proclaiming€10€December€Human€Rights€Day€and€stipulating€the€widespreadÐ „Ô  Ðdistribution€of€the€Universal€Declaration€of€Human€Rights€as€well€as€the€holding€of€public€meetingsÐ pÀ Ðon€the€scope€and€significance€of€human€rights.€€Most€importantly,€it€had€also€been€decided€in€1983Ð \¬ Ðthat€human€rights€would€henceforth€be€included€in€school€curricula.Ð H˜ ÐÌ156.€€Turning€to€questions€relating€to€article€9€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€of€the€State€partyÐ  p Ðstressed€that,€while€the€President€could,€under€article€244€of€the€Constitution,€order€the€arrest€orÐ  \ Ðdetention€of€suspects€so€as€to€prevent€imminent€disturbances€of€public€order,€such€measures€wereÐ øH Ðsubject€to€review€by€Congress€within€the€maximum€of€10€days€and€could€be€immediatelyÐ ä4 Ðcountermanded€if€Congress€considered€them€unjustified.€€In€any€event,€such€detention€was€limitedÐ Ð  Ðto€a€maximum€of€90€days€and€detainees€could€resort€both€to€the€right€to€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó€and€to€òòhabeasÐ ¼  Ðcorpusóó.€€Furthermore,€under€article€46€of€the€Constitution,€public€officials€incurred€criminal,€civilÐ ¨ø Ðand€administrative€liability€for€ordering€or€executing€acts€that€violated€or€restricted€constitutionallyÐ ”ä Ðguaranteed€rights,€and€under€article€1196€of€the€Civil€Code€victims€could€be€awarded€compensationÐ €Ð Ðfor€such€infringements€of€rights.Ð l¼ ÐÌ157.€€Referring€to€questions€concerning€the€role€of€the€Public€Prosecutorððs€Department,€theÐ D!” Ðrepresentative€noted€that€the€Departmentððs€general€responsibilities€were€defined€in€article€220€of€theÐ 0"€  ÐConstitution.€€The€Department€had€constitutional€rank,€was€autonomous€and€independent€of€otherÐ #l! Ðorgans€of€power,€and€was€entitled€to€co„operation€from€other€public€authorities.€€The€ProsecutorÐ $X" ÐGeneral€was€appointed€by€Parliament€for€a€five„year€term€of€service,€corresponding€to€that€of€theÐ ô$D # Ðlegislature.€€The€Department,€which€was€responsible€for€initiating€ð ðnecessary€proceedings€in€orderÐ à%0!$ Ðto€render€effective€the€civil,€criminal,€administrative€or€disciplinary€liability€incurred€by€publicÐ Ì&"% Ðofficials€as€a€result€of€the€performance€of€their€dutiesðð,€was€clearly€empowered€to€take€action€againstÐ ¸'#& Ðan€act€of€the€Executive.€€It€also€had€certain€supervisory€responsibilities€òòvis„„visóó€the€police€and€couldÐ ¤(ô#' Ðinvestigate€cases€of€arbitrary€detention.€€Under€the€Code€of€Criminal€Procedure,€the€ProsecutorÐ )à$( ÐGeneral€also€had€well€defined€obligatory€procedural€responsibilities,€including€those€relating€to€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðtestimony€of€witnesses,€rejection€of€evidence,€supervision€of€the€lawfulness€of€procedure€and€theÐ h+¸&* Ðnotification€of€irregularities.€€The€criminal€police€were€obliged€to€notify€the€Department€immediatelyÐ T,¤'+ Ðafter€the€arrest€of€a€suspect€and€police€interrogations€were€to€be€conducted€in€the€presence€of€aÐ @-(, Ðprosecutor.Ð ° ÐÌ158.€€In€his€final€comment€concerning€article€9€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€referred€to€theÐ ˆØ Ðprocedures€in€use€in€cases€of€pre„trial€detention€and€to€the€duration€of€such€detention€as€set€out€inÐ tÄ Ðthe€sixth€transitional€provision€of€the€Constitution.€€Only€those€police€authorities€that€wereÐ `° Ðrecognized€under€the€law€be€auxiliaries€in€the€administration€of€justice,€namely,€the€judicial€police,Ð L œ Ðthe€gendarmerie,€the€highway€police,€the€frontier€police,€and€officials€of€the€Customs€and€the€AliensÐ 8 ˆ ÐDepartments,€were€authorized€to€order€pre„trial€detention.€€The€cases€of€detainees€must€be€placedÐ $ t Ðbefore€a€competent€court€within€a€maximum€of€eight€days€from€the€time€of€arrest€and€courts€wereÐ  ` Ðobliged,€in€turn,€to€complete€consideration€of€such€cases€within€96€hours€„€or€at€most€eight€days€ifÐ ü L  Ðthey€were€serious€and€complex.€€Pre„trial€detention€beyond€those€time„limits€was€unlawful€and€theÐ è 8  Ðright€of€òòhabeas€corpusóó€could€be€invoked.€Ð Ô$  ÐÌ159.€€As€to€the€questions€raised€by€members€concerning€article€14€of€the€Covenant,€the€representativeÐ ¬ü  Ðexplained€that€the€independence€of€the€judiciary€had€been€clearly€established€since€1947,€wasÐ ˜è  Ðaffirmed€explicitly€in€article€205€of€the€Constitution€and€had€been€reaffirmed€in€article€1€of€theÐ „Ô  ÐOrganic€Law€of€Venezuela.€€Even€if€constitutional€guarantees€were€to€be€suspended,€the€SupremeÐ pÀ ÐCourt€would€have€precedence€over€organs€of€political€power.€€The€appointment€of€judges€was€dealtÐ \¬ Ðwith€under€article€207€of€the€Constitution€and€appropriate€implementation€legislation€„€the€JudgesÐ H˜ ÐAct€„€had€been€adopted€on€30€December€1980.€€Under€article€217€of€the€Constitution,€a€Council€onÐ 4„ Ðthe€Judiciary€had€been€established€to€ensure€the€independence,€efficiency,€discipline€and€dignity€ofÐ  p Ðthe€courts.€€Five€of€the€nine€members€of€that€Council€were€appointed€by€the€Supreme€Court,€withÐ  \ Ðtwo€each€being€appointed€by€Parliament€and€the€Executive,€respectively.Ð øH ÐÌ160.€€Regarding€the€respective€jurisdictions€of€military€and€civilian€courts,€he€pointed€out€thatÐ Ð  Ðcivilians€were€subject€to€military€jurisdiction€only€in€cases€covered€by€the€Military€Code€or€whenÐ ¼  Ðemployed€in€military€establishments€or€during€war„time.€€Under€a€Supreme€Court€ruling,€where€anÐ ¨ø Ðoffence€was€punishable€under€both€the€Penal€Code€and€the€Military€Code,€the€former€tookÐ ”ä Ðprecedence.€€In€that€connection,€reference€was€made€to€the€case€of€a€journalist€charged€withÐ €Ð Ðpublishing€classified€information,€which€had€first€been€considered€by€a€military€court€and€then€beenÐ l¼ Ðtransferred€by€the€Supreme€Court€to€the€civil€courts.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ161.€€As€to€questions€relating€to€defence€rights€in€criminal€cases,€the€representative€said€that€no€oneÐ 0"€  Ðcould€be€held€incommunicado€in€view€of€the€right€to€immediate€access€to€a€defence,€that€personsÐ #l! Ðmust€be€informed€of€the€reasons€for€their€detention€on€the€day€of€arrest,€with€a€hearing€taking€placeÐ $X" Ðwithin€30€days€and€that€the€accused€had€the€right€to€respond€in€open€court€after€the€reading€of€theÐ ô$D # Ðindictment€as€well€as€the€right€to€cross„examine€witnesses.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ162.€€Before€replying€to€questions€that€had€been€raised€concerning€article€23€in€connection€withÐ ¸'#& Ðarticle€3€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€commented€briefly€on€the€general€subject€of€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðenjoyment€of€civil€and€political€rights€by€women€in€Venezuela.€€He€pointed€out€that€women€had€Ô_ÔhadÔ_ÔÐ )à$( Ðthe€right€to€vote€and€to€be€elected€to€public€office€since€1946,€that€several€women€had€becomeÐ |*Ì%) ÐCabinet€ministers€and€that€they€constituted€the€majority€of€judges,€that€women€accounted€for€nearlyÐ h+¸&* Ðhalf€the€student€body€and€about€40€per€cent€of€the€teaching€staff€at€the€higher€levels€of€education€andÐ T,¤'+ Ðthat€women€in€fact€already€enjoyed€a€wide€measure€of€equality€with€men.€€By€establishing€in€1979Ð @-(, Ða€Ministry€of€State€for€the€Participation€of€Women€in€Development,€the€Government€had€givenÐ ° Ðfurther€impetus€to€efforts€to€enhance€the€status€of€women€through€practical€as€well€as€legal€measures.€Ð œì ÐÌ163.€€The€revised€Civil€Code,€promulgated€in€1982,€contained€provisions€that€had€significantlyÐ tÄ Ðenhanced€the€rights€of€married€women.€€Articles€137€to€140€of€the€1982€Code€provided,€for€example,Ð `° Ðthat€both€spouses€had€the€same€rights€and€duties€in€marriage€and€that€decisions€about€married€life,Ð L œ Ðincluding€the€place€of€residence,€were€to€be€taken€by€mutual€agreement.€€Civil€Code€provisionsÐ 8 ˆ Ðrelating€to€joint€property€had€also€been€altered,€with€both€spouses€being€granted€equal€rights€inÐ $ t Ðadministering€such€property€and€having€an€equal€voice€in€its€disposal.€€Another€important€provisionÐ  ` Ð(art.€185)€removed€the€earlier€bias€against€women€in€the€treatment€of€adultery€and€made€it€a€groundÐ ü L  Ðfor€divorce€without€qualification€for€either€partner.Ð è 8  ÐÌ164.€€With€reference€to€article€24€of€the€Covenant,€the€new€Code€had€also€made€importantÐ À  Ðimprovements€in€the€rights€of€illegitimate€children,€particularly€by€providing€for€their€legalÐ ¬ü  Ðrecognition€by€the€father€or€the€establishment€of€paternity€(arts.€209€and€210)€and€by€extending€theÐ ˜è  Ðright€of€inheritance€even€to€those€born€out€of€wedlock,€provided€that€the€relationship€between€parentsÐ „Ô  Ðand€descendants€had€been€legally€ascertained.€€The€minimum€age€for€marriage,€about€whichÐ pÀ Ðmembers€of€the€Committee€had€also€inquired,€had€been€raised€from€14€to€16€for€males€and€from€12Ð \¬ Ðto€14€for€females.Ð H˜ ÐÌ165.€€Referring€to€questions€raised€concerning€freedom€of€religion€in€Venezuela,€the€representativeÐ  p Ðof€the€State€party€stressed€that€everyone€in€the€country€had€the€right€to€profess€his€faith€and€practiceÐ  \ Ðhis€religion€in€private€or€in€public,€provided€that€it€was€not€contrary€to€public€order€and€morals.€€AnyÐ øH Ðlegislative€limitations€on€that€right€could€be€applied€by€the€National€Executive€in€keeping€with€theÐ ä4 Ðrequirements€of€the€Constitution.Ð Ð  ÐÌ166.€€Regarding€article€19€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€stated€that€the€principle€of€freedomÐ ¨ø Ðof€expression€was€upheld€without€discrimination€in€all€the€mass€media.€€The€Government€had€noÐ ”ä Ðintention€of€restricting€press€freedom€by€resorting€arbitrarily€to€constitutional€powers€that€were€onlyÐ €Ð Ðto€be€used€in€case€of€danger€to€State€security.Ð l¼ ÐÌ167.€€Replying€to€questions€concerning€self„determination,€the€representative€of€the€State€partyÐ D!” Ðreferred€to€the€preamble€to€the€Constitution€of€Venezuela,€which€specifically€called€for€co„operationÐ 0"€  Ðwith€all€nations€in€ensuring€the€self„determination€of€peoples€and€the€rights€of€individuals€as€wellÐ #l! Ðas€the€repudiation€of€war€and€conquest€as€instruments€of€international€policy.€€He€noted€thatÐ $X" ÐVenezuela€had€participated€in€the€International€Conference€in€Solidarity€with€the€Struggle€of€theÐ ô$D # ÐPeople€of€Namibia€in€1978,€wholeheartedly€supported€the€independence€of€the€Namibian€people,€wasÐ à%0!$ Ðresolutely€opposed€to€òòapartheidóó€and€had€severed€all€forms€of€relations€with€the€racist€Ô_ÔrgimeÔ_Ô€of€SouthÐ Ì&"% ÐAfrica.€€His€Government€also€believed€that€a€just€solution€in€the€Middle€East€could€only€be€achievedÐ ¸'#& Ðby€respecting€the€rights€of€the€Palestinian€people,€including€their€right€to€self„determination.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ168.€€In€connection€with€article€3,€the€representative€noted€that€men€and€women€in€VenezuelaÐ |*Ì%) Ðenjoyed€equal€opportunities€under€the€law,€that€his€country€had€ratified€the€Convention€on€theÐ h+¸&* ÐPolitical€Rights€of€Women,€that€the€principle€of€equal€pay€for€equal€work€without€discrimination€hadÐ T,¤'+ Ðbeen€established€in€article€81€of€the€Constitution,€and€that€the€Venezuelan€law€prohibiting€activityÐ @-(, Ðin€commerce€by€women€had€been€rescinded.Ð ° ÐÌ169.€€Regarding€article€22,€the€representative€noted€that€Venezuela€had€ratified€the€ILO€conventionsÐ ˆØ Ðon€forced€labour,€freedom€of€association,€trade€union€rights€and€the€equal€treatment€of€migrantÐ tÄ Ðworkers.€Migrant€workers€enjoyed€all€the€rights€of€other€workers,€including€rights€stemming€fromÐ `° Ðcollective€agreements.€€No€discrimination€was€permitted€in€the€employment€of€migrant€workers€onÐ L œ Ðgrounds€of€race,€colour,€sex€etc.€€Under€the€Andean€Agreement€on€Migrant€Labour,€even€workersÐ 8 ˆ Ðengaged€in€activities€on€their€own€account€without€the€necessary€papers€were€considered€to€have€theÐ $ t Ðright€to€work€in€Venezuela.Ð  ` ÐÌ170.€€As€to€the€situation€of€the€indigenous€population€in€Venezuela,€it€was€noted€that€it€formed€onlyÐ è 8  Ð0.8€per€cent€of€the€total€population.€€The€general€policy€being€pursued€was€to€provide€instruction€inÐ Ô$  ÐSpanish€while€ensuring€that€the€indigenous€communities€preserved€their€own€language€andÐ À  Ðcharacteristics.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ171.€€Responding€to€questions€regarding€health€care€activities€in€Venezuela,€the€representative€of€theÐ „Ô  ÐState€party€noted€that€the€Ministry€of€Health€received€the€largest€proportion€of€the€national€budget,Ð pÀ Ðwith€the€Ministry€of€Education€coming€second.€€The€hospital€and€heath€centre€network€in€the€countryÐ \¬ Ðhad€expanded€considerably€during€the€pat€10€years€and€currently€met€the€needs€of€80€per€cent€of€theÐ H˜ Ðpopulation.€€State„provided€medical€services€covered€hospital€care,€preventive€medicine€and€medicalÐ 4„ Ðtreatment,€which€were€available€to€both€Venezuelan€nationals€and€foreigners€free€of€charge€withoutÐ  p Ðdiscrimination€in€respect€of€financial€status.€€Social€security€institutions€also€provided€communityÐ  \ Ðheath€services.€€On€a€related€matter,€the€representative€stated€that€drug€addiction€was€a€subject€ofÐ øH Ðgreat€concern€to€the€President€of€Venezuela,€who€had€spoken€of€it€at€length€in€his€statement€beforeÐ ä4 Ðthe€General€Assembly.€€Venezuela€had€enacted€new€legislation€on€drug€abuse€in€1983.Ð Ð  ÐÌ172.€€As€to€the€question€of€granting€recognition€of€the€right€of€conscientious€objection,€theÐ ¨ø Ðrepresentative€responded€that,€under€article€53€of€the€Venezuelan€Constitution,€military€service€wasÐ ”ä Ðcompulsory,€irrespective€of€class.Ð €Ð ÐÌ173.€€Responding€to€other€questions€that€had€been€raised€by€members€of€the€Committee,€theÐ X ¨ Ðrepresentative€stated€that€since€1958€considerable€financial€and€personnel€resources€had€beenÐ D!” Ðdevoted€to€improving€literacy€and€the€current€illiteracy€rate€was€15€per€cent,€that€under€article€63€ofÐ 0"€  Ðthe€Constitution€private€correspondence€could€not€be€seized€except€on€judicial€order€and€that€theÐ #l! Ðright€of€peaceful€assembly,€guaranteed€by€article€71€of€the€Constitution,€was€not€limited€to€citizensÐ $X" Ðof€Venezuela€but€applied€to€foreigners€as€well.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ174.€€Finally,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€assured€the€Committee€that€there€were€no€politicalÐ Ì&"% Ðdetainees€in€Venezuela€although€detained€persons€occasionally€claimed€to€have€acted€for€politicalÐ ¸'#& Ðmotives.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ175.€€The€Chairman€of€the€Committee€noted€with€satisfaction€that€much€of€the€new€legislation€in€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðcountry€had€been€influenced€by€the€discussions€in€the€Committee.€€He€expressed€regret€that,€due€toÐ h+¸&* Ðlack€of€time,€a€number€of€questions€had€remained€unanswered,€but€suggested€that€Venezuela€mightÐ T,¤'+ Ðanswer€them€in€its€second€periodic€report€which€was€due€to€be€submitted€to€the€Committee€in€1985.Ð  @-(, Ðò òÔ_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô€€A/48/40ó óÐ ° ÐÌÔUSUK.,Ô271.€€The€Committee€considered€the€second€periodic€report€of€Venezuela€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/37/Add.14)€atÐ ˆØ Ðits€1197òòthóó€to€1199òòthóó€meetings,€on€2€and€3€November€1992€(see€Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/SR.1197-1199).€€(For€theÐ tÄ Ðcomposition€of€the€delegation,€see€annex€XI.)€Ð `° ÐÌ272.€€The€report€was€introduced€by€the€representative€of€the€State€party€who€emphasized€the€progressÐ 8 ˆ Ðmade€in€the€legislative€field€since€the€consideration€of€the€initial€report€of€his€country.€€A€numberÐ $ t Ðof€provisions€of€the€Civil€Code€incompatible€with€the€Covenant,€particularly€those€relating€to€theÐ  ` Ðequality€of€husband€and€wife€within€marriage,€had€been€amended.€€The€Organic€Law€on€theÐ ü L  ÐProtection€of€Constitutional€Rights€and€Guarantees€had€been€adopted€in€January€1988.€€It€hadÐ è 8  Ðintroduced€important€improvements€as€far€as€the€exercise€of€the€remedy€of€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó€was€concerned.€Ð Ô$  ÐAmendments€had€also€been€made€to€the€Organic€Labour€Law€to€expand€and€strengthen€the€humanÐ À  Ðrights€of€workers.€€As€a€demonstration€of€the€strength€of€its€democratic€institutions,€Venezuela€wasÐ ¬ü  Ðplanning€to€hold€elections€for€the€posts€of€governors,€mayors€and€councillors€in€December€1992.€Ð ˜è  ÐThe€Government€had€adopted€a€policy€of€informing,€training€and€sensitizing€the€sectors€concernedÐ „Ô  Ðwith€the€protection€of€human€rights€and€was€determined€to€punish€those€found€guilty€of€violationsÐ pÀ Ðof€fundamental€rights.€Ð \¬ ÐÌ273.€€Referring€to€the€factors€and€difficulties€which€had€affected€the€implementation€of€the€CovenantÐ 4„ Ðin€Venezuela€during€the€reporting€period,€the€representative€explained€that,€in€February€1989,€as€aÐ  p Ðresult€of€a€series€of€economic€measures€taken€by€the€Government,€there€had€been€a€social€explosionÐ  \ Ðin€the€country€which€had€Ô_ÔhadÔ_Ô€serious€effects€in€the€human€rights€field.€€There€had€beenÐ øH Ðunprecedented€outbursts€of€public€violence€or€arbitrary€behavior€on€the€part€of€law€enforcementÐ ä4 Ðofficials.€€On€4€February€1992,€an€attempted€military€coup€had€endangered€the€stability€of€theÐ Ð  Ðcountry's€democratic€system€and€made€it€necessary€to€suspend€guarantees€but€they€were€restored€onÐ ¼  Ð23€April€1992.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌòòConstitutional€and€legal€framework€within€which€the€Covenant€is€implemented,€state€of€emergency,Ð €Ð Ðnon-discrimination,€equality€of€the€sexes€and€protection€of€the€family€and€children€Ð l¼ ÐóóÌ274.€€With€regard€to€those€issues,€the€Committee€wished€to€receive€further€information€on€the€statusÐ D!” Ðof€the€Covenant€within€the€Venezuelan€legal€system;€on€the€possibility€for€individuals€to€invoke€theÐ 0"€  Ðprovisions€of€the€Covenant€directly€before€the€courts;€on€the€impact€of€the€entry€into€force€of€theÐ #l! ÐOrganic€Law€on€Protection€of€Constitutional€Rights€and€Guarantees€on€the€implementation€of€humanÐ $X" Ðrights€contained€in€the€Covenant;€on€the€conformity€with€article€4€of€the€Covenant€of€the€reasons€forÐ ô$D # Ðdeclaring€a€state€of€emergency,€referred€to€in€paragraphs€52€to€56€of€the€report;€on€remedies€availableÐ à%0!$ Ðto€individuals€during€the€period€of€emergency;€on€measures€taken€to€investigate€cases€ofÐ Ì&"% Ðdisappearances,€extrajudicial€executions€and€other€excesses€committed€during€the€state€ofÐ ¸'#& Ðemergency,€to€punish€those€found€guilty,€and€to€compensate€the€victims;€on€measures€taken€toÐ ¤(ô#' Ðprevent€the€recurrence€of€such€acts;€on€the€progress€achieved€since€the€adoption€of€amendments€toÐ )à$( Ðthe€Civil€Code€and€the€Labour€Code€and€of€other€reforms€with€a€view€to€eliminating€inequalitiesÐ |*Ì%) Ðbetween€men€and€women;€on€the€law€and€practice€relating€to€the€employment€of€minors;€and€on€theÐ h+¸&* Ðlight€work€which€minors€under€the€age€of€14€might€be€authorized€to€perform€by€the€administrativeÐ T,¤'+ Ðauthorities.€Ð @-(, Ї275.€€In€addition,€members€wished€to€know€whether€the€remedies€of€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó€and€habeas€corpusÐ ° Ðcontinued€to€be€applicable€during€a€state€of€emergency€and€whether€representatives€of€the€PublicÐ œì ÐProsecutor's€Department€remained€available€to€detainees€in€such€circumstances;€what€measures€hadÐ ˆØ Ðbeen€taken€to€disseminate€information€on€the€rights€recognized€in€the€Covenant€and€on€the€OptionalÐ tÄ ÐProtocol;€whether€human€rights€were€taught€to€police€officers€and€members€of€the€armed€forces;€howÐ `° Ðcontradictions€between€domestic€legislation€and€the€Covenant,€if€any,€were€resolved;€and€whetherÐ L œ Ðthere€was€any€provision€providing€for€prohibition€of€discrimination€based€on€color,€language,Ð 8 ˆ Ðnational€origin€or€political€opinion,€which€had€been€omitted€in€article€61€of€the€Constitution.€€Ð $ t ÐÌ276.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€explained€that€the€Covenant€took€priority€overÐ ü L  Ðlaws€adopted€under€the€Constitution€and€that€individuals€could€invoke€its€provisions€before€theÐ è 8  Ðcourts.€€A€constitutional€reform€bill€which€intended€to€place€the€Covenant€above€the€Organic€andÐ Ô$  Ðother€laws€was€currently€under€consideration€by€the€Congress.€€Although€officials€of€the€PublicÐ À  ÐProsecutor's€Department€often€referred€to€the€rights€set€forth€in€international€human€rightsÐ ¬ü  Ðinstruments,€the€courts€were€not€accustomed€to€citing€such€instruments€because€they€tended€toÐ ˜è  Ðassume€that€all€human€rights€were€adequately€covered€in€the€Constitution.€€Efforts€had€been€madeÐ „Ô  Ðto€disseminate€information€on€the€rights€recognized€in€the€Covenant€through€lectures€and€seminarsÐ pÀ Ðgiven€to€lawyers€and€judges€as€well€as€security€and€police€officers.€Ð \¬ ÐÌ277.€€The€declaration€of€a€state€of€emergency€in€February€1989€had€been€in€conformity€with€articleÐ 4„ Ð4€of€the€Covenant.€€The€rights€set€forth€in€articles€6,€7,€8,€11,€15,€16€and€18€of€the€Covenant€had€notÐ  p Ðbeen€suspended€during€that€period€and€people€had€continued€to€exercise€the€right€of€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó.€€TheÐ  \ ÐCommander€of€the€National€Guard€had€been€urged€to€be€vigilant€to€prevent€excesses€and€humanÐ øH Ðrights€abuses€and€public€officials€had€been€instructed€to€keep€within€the€limits€set€by€theÐ ä4 ÐConstitution.€€The€Public€Prosecutor's€Department€had€carried€out€many€inspections€at€theÐ Ð  Ðheadquarters€of€the€military€police€and€investigatory€services.€€All€complaints€about€disappearances,Ð ¼  Ðarbitrary€detention€and€other€human€rights€violations€had€been€processed€and€handed€over€to€theÐ ¨ø Ðcompetent€courts€for€further€investigation.€€The€Attorney-General€of€the€Republic€had€met€withÐ ”ä Ðrepresentatives€of€non-governmental€organizations€and,€subsequently,€weekly€meetings€among€theÐ €Ð Ðparties€had€been€convened€to€give€effective€follow-up€to€all€complaints€of€human€rights€violations.€Ð l¼ ÐEighteen€complaints€of€disappearances€had€been€registered,€but€only€two€had€been€confirmedÐ X ¨ Ðthrough€investigation.€€Although€every€effort€had€been€made€to€carry€out€thorough€inquiries,€in€manyÐ D!” Ðcases€there€was€not€enough€proof€to€permit€responsibility€to€be€attributed€to€a€particular€individual,Ð 0"€  Ðwhich€was€a€prerequisite€for€prosecution.€€However,€when€well-founded€indications€of€responsibilityÐ #l! Ðon€the€part€of€public€officials€had€been€uncovered,€investigations€had€been€requested€and€some€casesÐ $X" Ðhad€subsequently€been€brought€to€court.€Ð ô$D # ÐÌ278.€€During€the€suspension€of€rights€and€guarantees€following€the€events€of€4€February€1992,€theÐ Ì&"% ÐSupreme€Court€had€granted€a€request€for€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó€without€undertaking€a€prior€investigation€of€itsÐ ¸'#& Ðadmissibility.€€It€had€thus€established€a€precedent€for€handling€an€application€for€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó€during€aÐ ¤(ô#' Ðstate€of€emergency€and€the€obligation€of€the€courts€to€decide€on€the€substance€of€the€matter€had,Ð )à$( Ðsubsequently,€been€made€part€of€the€jurisprudence€of€Venezuela.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ279.€€Responding€to€other€questions,€the€representative€said€that€the€adoption€of€amendments€to€theÐ T,¤'+ ÐCivil€Code€and€the€Labour€Code€had€already€led€to€considerable€progress€and€had€improved€theÐ @-(, Ðsituation€of€married€women.€€The€Public€Prosecutor's€Office€enjoyed€widespread€support€in€itsÐ ° Ðefforts€to€promote€the€rights€of€women€in€accordance€with€the€Convention€on€the€Elimination€of€AllÐ œì ÐForms€of€Discrimination€against€Women.€€There€were€five€women€members€of€the€Government,€5Ð ˆØ Ðsenators€and€19€deputies.€However,€while€there€were€many€women€in€official€positions,€muchÐ tÄ Ðremained€to€be€done€to€achieve€equality.€€There€were€no€problems€of€discrimination€based€on€raceÐ `° Ðor€religion€or€national€origin€in€Venezuela.€Ð L œ ÐÌ280.€€Venezuela€had€ratified€the€Minimum€Wage€Convention,€1973€(No.€138)€of€the€InternationalÐ $ t ÐLabour€Organization€and€other€international€instruments€specifically€designed€to€protect€children,Ð  ` Ðincluding€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child.€€The€National€Institute€for€Minors€wasÐ ü L  Ðresponsible€for€the€protection€of€children€and€the€Organic€Labour€Law,€which€entered€into€force€onÐ è 8  Ð1€May€1991,€contained€a€chapter€devoted€to€child€labour€whose€purpose€was€to€prohibit€work€byÐ Ô$  Ðchildren€under€the€age€of€14,€except€for€light€work€by€those€over€the€age€of€12.€Ð À  ÐÌòòRight€to€life,€treatment€of€prisoners€and€other€detainees,€liberty€and€security€of€person€and€right€toÐ ˜è  Ða€fair€trial€óóÐ „Ô  ÐÌ281.€€With€reference€to€those€issues,€the€Committee€wished€to€know€what€measures€had€been€takenÐ \¬ Ðto€prevent€and€punish€the€trafficking€in€organs;€whether€the€Police€Organization€Bill€mentioned€inÐ H˜ Ðparagraph€125€of€the€report€had€been€adopted;€what€the€rules€and€regulations€were€governing€the€useÐ 4„ Ðof€firearms€by€the€police€and€security€forces;€whether€there€had€been€any€violations€of€these€rulesÐ  p Ðand€regulations€and,€if€so,€what€measures€had€been€taken€to€prevent€their€recurrence;€what€the€status,Ð  \ Ðfunctions€and€activities€were€of€the€new€security€units€referred€to€in€paragraph€69€of€the€report;€whatÐ øH Ðconcrete€measures€had€been€taken€by€the€authorities€to€ensure€that€all€courts€give€due€attention€toÐ ä4 Ðcases€of€ill-treatment€at€the€hands€of€the€police€and€security€forces€and€to€ensure€that€such€cases€wereÐ Ð  Ðinvestigated;€what€legal€provisions€guaranteed€that€no€one€was€subjected€to€medical€and€scientificÐ ¼  Ðexperimentation;€what€specific€measures€were€envisaged€to€address€the€problems€affecting€theÐ ¨ø Ðsupervision€of€places€of€detention€and€the€procedures€for€receiving€and€investigating€complaints;Ð ”ä Ðwhether€the€provisions€of€the€Vagrancy€Act€relating€to€the€custody€of€vagrants€and€malefactors€inÐ €Ð Ðre-education€Ô_ÔcentresÔ_Ô,€farming-settlements€or€work-camps€were€compatible€with€articles€8€and€14€ofÐ l¼ Ðthe€Covenant;€whether€that€Act€had€as€yet€been€repealed;€what€concrete€measures€had€been€taken€byÐ X ¨ Ðthe€Public€Prosecutor's€Department€to€ensure€strict€adherence€by€the€police€and€security€forces€toÐ D!” Ðrules€relating€to€the€liberty€and€security€of€the€person€as€enshrined€in€article€9€of€the€Covenant,€andÐ 0"€  Ðwhether€such€initiatives€had€led€to€any€progress€to€date;€and€whether€the€Legal€Defense€Bill€referredÐ #l! Ðto€in€paragraph€251€of€the€report€had€been€adopted€by€Congress.€Ð $X" ÐÌ282.€€In€addition,€clarification€was€requested€concerning€measures€taken€by€the€authorities€withÐ à%0!$ Ðregard€to€the€numerous€allegations€of€impunity€enjoyed€by€members€of€the€armed€forces€responsibleÐ Ì&"% Ðfor€torture,€maltreatment€and€disappearance;€the€steps€undertaken€to€provide€victims€with€effectiveÐ ¸'#& Ðremedies€against€such€acts;€of€the€position€of€the€Government€regarding€the€discovery€of€more€thanÐ ¤(ô#' Ð60€bodies€in€common€graves€and,€in€particular,€as€to€whether€it€intended€to€conduct€an€appropriateÐ )à$( Ðinvestigation€into€the€atrocities€committed;€the€alleged€transfer€of€detainees€to€inaccessibleÐ |*Ì%) Ðrehabilitation€Ô_ÔcentresÔ_Ô,€where€they€were€deprived€of€their€right€to€prepare€their€defense€with€theirÐ h+¸&* Ðlawyers;€and€the€lack€of€resources€and€expertise€to€determine€whether€an€individual€had€beenÐ T,¤'+ Ðsubjected€to€torture€that€left€no€external€traces.€€Members€also€asked€whether€military€courts€couldÐ @-(, Ðhandle€cases€involving€civilian€victims;€how€soon€after€arrest€a€person€could€contact€a€lawyer€andÐ ° Ðinform€his€family;€and€whether€environmental€questions€were€taken€into€account€in€connection€withÐ œì Ðthe€right€to€life.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ283.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€explained€that€under€article€46€of€theÐ `° ÐVenezuelan€Constitution,€any€act€by€the€public€authorities€which€infringed€or€restricted€the€rightsÐ L œ Ðguaranteed€by€the€Constitution€was€null€and€void,€and€the€officials€who€had€ordered€or€carried€it€outÐ 8 ˆ Ðbore€criminal,€civil€or€administrative€liability.€€Article€1196€of€the€Civil€Code€provided€that€a€judgeÐ $ t Ðcould€grant€compensation€to€the€victim€in€the€event€of€bodily€injury,€damage€to€the€honor€andÐ  ` Ðreputation€of€the€victim€or€his€family€or€violation€of€his€rights.€€The€Human€Rights€Division€of€theÐ ü L  ÐPublic€Prosecutor's€Department€had,€during€1991,€deemed€it€necessary€in€2,500€cases€to€investigateÐ è 8  Ðthe€conduct€of€certain€officials€belonging€to€the€police€or€prison€services;€800€of€those€cases€hadÐ Ô$  Ðbeen€found€to€justify€the€formulation€of€charges€against€government€officials.€€Referring€to€instancesÐ À  Ðof€impunity€following€the€events€of€February€1989,€the€representative€said€that€the€courts€had€beenÐ ¬ü  Ðurged€to€order€corpses€to€be€exhumed€with€a€view€to€acquiring€evidence€in€response€to€the€concernsÐ ˜è  Ðexpressed€by€the€relatives€of€victims.€€Due€to€difficulties€in€assigning€individual€responsibility,Ð „Ô  Ðinsufficient€information€on€the€location€of€the€common€graves,€and€other€technical€problems,€noÐ pÀ Ðresults€had€been€achieved€as€yet.Ð \¬ ÐÌ284.€The€Police€Organization€Bill€mentioned€in€the€report€had€not€yet€been€adopted.€€The€use€ofÐ 4„ Ðfirearms€by€the€police€and€security€forces€was€governed€by€the€Penal€Code€and€article€24€of€the€LawÐ  p Ðon€Weapons€and€Explosives.€€The€arbitrary€or€abusive€use€of€force€or€firearms€by€law€enforcementÐ  \ Ðofficials€was€considered€to€be€an€offence.Ð øH ÐÌ285.€€According€to€the€Supreme€Court,€military€jurisdiction€was€to€be€viewed€as€the€exception€andÐ Ð  Ðcases€should€generally€be€handled€in€the€civilian€courts.€€However,€after€the€events€of€February€1989,Ð ¼  Ðthe€police€investigatory€bodies€had€collected€evidence€on€civilian€deaths€and€had€reported€thereonÐ ¨ø Ðto€the€military€courts.€€The€Public€Prosecutor's€Department€had€informed€them€that€such€conduct€wasÐ ”ä Ðinappropriate€and€had€reminded€them€that€they€were€auxiliary€bodies€of€the€regular€system€forÐ €Ð Ðcriminal€justice€and€not€of€the€military€courts.€Ð l¼ ÐÌ286.€€The€Public€Prosecutor's€Department€was€responsible€for€ensuring€against€arbitrary€orÐ D!” Ðincommunicado€detention€and€that€the€accused€could€communicate€with€a€lawyer.€€Surprise€visitsÐ 0"€  Ðto€police€pre-trial€detention€Ô_ÔcentresÔ_Ô€had€been€made€at€night€by€representatives€of€the€PublicÐ #l! ÐProsecutor's€Department€in€the€Caracas€metropolitan€area.€€A€comparison€of€the€results€of€thatÐ $X" Ðoperation€with€a€similar€one€carried€out€in€1990€had€revealed€that€the€number€of€arbitrary€detentionsÐ ô$D # Ðhad€declined.€€In€1991,€representatives€of€the€Public€Prosecutor's€Department€had€inspected€a€totalÐ à%0!$ Ðof€10,428€pre-trial€detention€establishments€of€various€kinds.€€The€Public€Prosecutor's€DepartmentÐ Ì&"% Ðwas€entitled€to€visit€places€of€detention€in€military€units€but€it€was€rarely€possible€to€organize€suchÐ ¸'#& Ðvisits€on€a€surprise€basis€and,€under€a€state€of€emergency,€access€to€military€detention€Ô_ÔcentresÔ_Ô€becameÐ ¤(ô#' Ðeven€harder.€€The€length€of€pre-trial€detention€was€much€too€long€and€was€likely€to€open€the€doorÐ )à$( Ðto€abuses€and€arbitrary€action.€€Steps€were€being€taken€to€reform€the€entire€judicial€system€and€toÐ |*Ì%) Ðintroduce€a€new€court€consisting€of€justices€of€the€peace€to€relieve€the€judges€of€courts€of€firstÐ h+¸&* Ðinstance€of€their€enormous€workload.€€The€Judicature€Council€had€also€appointed€itinerant€judgesÐ T,¤'+ Ðto€try€cases€in€courts€where€magistrates€were€overwhelmed€with€work.€Ð @-(, Ї287.€€Trafficking€in€organs€was€covered€by€the€Organ€Transplants€and€Anatomical€Material€ofÐ ° ÐHuman€Origin€Act.€€Under€that€Act,€human€organs€could€be€removed€and€used€for€therapeuticÐ œì Ðpurposes€only€at€institutes€and€hospital€Ô_ÔcentresÔ_Ô€authorized€to€do€so.€€Persons€who,€for€profit,€actedÐ ˆØ Ðas€intermediaries€in€obtaining€organs€were€punishable€by€four€to€eight€years'€imprisonment.€€SinceÐ tÄ Ðtraffic€in€organs€was€obviously€connected€with€the€sale€of€children,€Venezuela€had€insisted€on€theÐ `° Ðinclusion,€in€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child,€of€article€35€which€obliged€States€parties€toÐ L œ Ðtake€all€appropriate€measures€to€prevent€the€abduction€of,€sale€of€or€traffic€in€children€for€anyÐ 8 ˆ Ðpurpose€or€in€any€form.€€Under€the€Medical€Ô_ÔDeontologicalÔ_Ô€Code,€the€consent€of€a€person€had€to€beÐ $ t Ðobtained€to€perform€medical€experimentation.€€Ð  ` ÐÌ288.€€The€Vagrancy€Act€of€1956€had€been€promulgated€before€the€adoption€of€the€democraticÐ è 8  ÐConstitution€in€1961€and€violated€the€rights€of€individuals,€particularly€the€right€to€legal€counsel.€Ð Ô$  ÐThe€authorities€agreed€that€the€Act€should€be€abolished€and€a€new€system€for€dealing€with€vagrantsÐ À  Ðput€into€place.€€A€draft€law€designed€to€achieve€that€end€was€being€discussed€in€Parliament.€€AÐ ¬ü  Ðspecial€office€within€the€Public€Prosecutor's€Department€sought€to€minimize€the€arbitrary€applicationÐ ˜è  Ðof€the€law€and€to€have€administrative€acts€revoked€where€they€covered€cases€involving€irregularities.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌ289.€€Responding€to€other€questions,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€said€the€Legal€Defense€BillÐ \¬ Ðreferred€to€in€the€report€had€not€yet€been€adopted€by€Congress.€€If€an€accused€did€not€have€the€meansÐ H˜ Ðto€pay€a€lawyer€of€his€choice,€he€was€provided€with€legal€defense€services€from€the€moment€he€wasÐ 4„ Ðcharged.€The€òòÔ_ÔAsociacið;ðnÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔnacionalÔ_Ô€de€Ô_ÔclnicaÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔjurdicaÔ_Ôóó€also€provided€legal€defense€services€free€ofÐ  p Ðcharge,€mainly€in€low-income€areas.€€Three€public€prosecutors€were€qualified€to€act€in€environmentalÐ  \ Ðmatters€and€an€Organic€Law€on€the€Environment€had€been€adopted.€€Ð øH ÐÌòòFreedom€of€movement€and€expulsion€of€aliens,€right€to€privacy,€freedom€of€religion,€expression,Ð Ð  Ðassembly€and€association€and€right€to€participate€in€the€conduct€of€public€affairs€Ð ¼  ÐóóÌ290.€€In€connection€with€those€issues,€the€Committee€wished€to€receive€further€information€on€theÐ ”ä Ðpenalty€of€banishment,€as€provided€for€by€articles€53€to€56€of€the€Criminal€Code€and€the€Act€on€theÐ €Ð ÐCommutation€of€Sentences€by€Pardon€or€Banishment€from€the€National€Territory€of€15€DecemberÐ l¼ Ð1964,€and€on€the€compatibility€of€those€provisions€with€article€12€of€the€Covenant;€on€the€contentÐ X ¨ Ðof€the€Protection€of€Privacy€Bill,€referred€to€in€paragraph€309€of€the€report;€and€on€whether€theÐ D!” ÐDemonstrations,€Marches€and€Other€Peaceful€Protest€Activities€Act€and€the€Crowd€Control€Act€hadÐ 0"€  Ðbeen€adopted€and,€if€so,€whether€they€have€been€successful€in€fighting€excesses€committed€byÐ #l! Ðsecurity€forces€against€peaceful€gatherings.€Ð $X" ÐÌ291.€€Members€of€the€Committee€also€inquired€about€the€grounds€for€deprivation€of€a€person's€rightÐ à%0!$ Ðto€vote;€whether€a€conscientious€objector€could€bring€an€action€of€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó€in€order€to€protect€hisÐ Ì&"% Ðfreedom€of€thought€and€conscience;€and€about€the€implementation€of€article€20€of€the€Covenant.€Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ292.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€said€that€the€penalty€of€banishment€wasÐ )à$( Ðordered€by€the€courts€only€when€requested€by€the€citizen€himself€and€involved€the€commutation€ofÐ |*Ì%) Ða€sentence€already€handed€down€by€the€competent€judicial€authorities.€€It€was€considered€to€be€aÐ h+¸&* Ðbenefit€in€that€it€offered€the€citizen€freedom€of€movement€as€long€as€he€remained€outside€the€nationalÐ T,¤'+ Ðterritory€and€was,€therefore,€fully€compatible€with€the€Covenant.€€The€purpose€of€the€Protection€ofÐ @-(, ÐPrivacy€Bill€was€to€protect€the€privacy,€confidentiality,€inviolability€and€secrecy€of€communicationsÐ ° Ðbetween€individuals.€€It€provided€for€penalties€in€connection€with€the€recording€or€hampering€of€suchÐ œì Ðcommunications.€€The€Bill€had,€however,€not€yet€been€endorsed€by€the€Congress€as€a€whole.€€TheÐ ˆØ ÐDemonstrations,€Marches€and€Other€Peaceful€Protest€Activities€Act€and€the€Crowd€Control€Act€wereÐ tÄ Ðstill€being€considered€in€Congress.€€Steps€had,€however,€already€been€taken€to€avert€excesses€by€theÐ `° Ðsecurity€forces€during€peaceful€demonstrations,€such€as€the€creation€of€special€units€among€the€ranksÐ L œ Ðof€the€demonstrators€themselves€to€prevent€violence.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ293.€€In€response€to€other€questions,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€said€that€there€was€noÐ  ` Ðhistory€of€conscientious€objection€in€Venezuela.€€The€Government€was,€however,€studying€theÐ ü L  Ðpossibility€of€changing€the€law€to€provide€an€alternative€to€military€service.€€There€were€numerousÐ è 8  Ðcategories€of€persons€who€were€exempt€from€military€service,€such€as€students,€persons€withÐ Ô$  Ðdependant€parents€and€Jehovah's€Witnesses.€Only€prisoners€incarcerated€under€the€category€ofÐ À  Ðòòpresidioóó€(rigorous€imprisonment)€lost€their€right€to€vote.€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌòòRights€of€persons€belonging€to€minoritiesóó€Ð „Ô  ÐÌ294.€€With€regard€to€that€issue,€the€Committee€wished€to€know€what€factors€and€difficulties€affectedÐ \¬ Ðthe€implementation€of€article€27€of€the€Covenant,€particularly€with€regard€to€the€treatment€ofÐ H˜ Ðindigenous€peoples€as€individuals€and€groups;€whether€the€Draft€Act€on€the€Organization€ofÐ 4„ ÐIndigenous€Communities,€Peoples€and€Cultures€had€been€adopted€by€Congress;€whether€theÐ  p Ðdelegation€to€Catholic€missions€of€the€task€of€"subduing€and€civilizing€indigenous€persons"€wasÐ  \ Ðcompatible€with€the€rights€of€Indian€communities€as€envisaged€in€the€Draft€Act€as€well€as€with€articleÐ øH Ð27€of€the€Covenant;€and€whether€article€77€of€the€Constitution€had€been€reformulated€to€includeÐ ä4 Ðspecific€recognition€of€the€land,€traditions,€religions€and€languages€of€Indian€communities€inÐ Ð  ÐVenezuela,€pursuant€to€the€advice€given€by€the€Bicameral€CommissionÐ ¼  Ðreferred€to€in€paragraph€470€of€the€report.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌ295.€€In€addition,€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€know€how€the€State€ensured€that€theÐ €Ð Ðindigenous€populations€were€able€to€exercise€their€political€rights€and€seek€representation;€whetherÐ l¼ Ðany€indigenous€person€had€ever€held€one€of€the€high€public€offices€mentioned€in€paragraph€450€ofÐ X ¨ Ðthe€report;€and,€in€general,€how€equitable€access€of€members€of€indigenous€groups€to€public€serviceÐ D!” Ðwas€ensured.€Ð 0"€  ÐÌ296.€€In€his€reply,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€explained€that€a€special€office€had€been€createdÐ $X" Ðat€the€national€level€to€deal€with€indigenous€matters.€€The€Draft€Act€on€the€Organization€ofÐ ô$D # ÐIndigenous€Communities,€Peoples€and€Cultures€had€not€yet€been€adopted.€€The€word€"subduing"Ð à%0!$ Ð(òòÔ_ÔreducirÔ_Ôóó)€used€in€the€report€referred€to€a€system€by€which€the€Indians€were€exempt€from€complyingÐ Ì&"% Ðwith€some€of€the€elements€of€the€administrative€and€judicial€system€in€Venezuela.€€The€purpose€ofÐ ¸'#& Ðthose€exceptions€was€to€enable€the€Indians€to€live€in€conformity€with€the€aspects€of€their€culture€thatÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdid€not€coincide€with€the€cultural€patterns€of€other€inhabitants€of€Venezuela.€€In€the€Missions€ActÐ )à$( Ðof€1915,€the€State€of€Venezuela€had€delegated€to€the€Catholic€Church€the€task€of€"civilizing"€theÐ |*Ì%) ÐIndians€and€persuading€them€to€live€in€established€settlements.€A€bill€was,€however,€underÐ h+¸&* Ðconsideration€in€Congress€designed€to€amend€article€77€of€the€Constitution€with€regard€to€theÐ T,¤'+ Ðincorporation€of€indigenous€populations€into€the€life€of€the€nation.€€It€purported€to€modify€theÐ @-(, ÐÔ_ÔintegrationistÔ_Ô€philosophy€underlying€that€article€by€providing€for€a€pluralist€and€Ô_ÔmulticulturalÔ_Ô€visionÐ ° Ðbased€on€respect€for€their€languages€and€beliefs.€€A€biosphere€zone€in€the€Amazons,€covering€an€areaÐ œì Ðof€3.9€million€hectares,€had€been€established€to€ensure€the€physical€and€cultural€survival€of€theÐ ˆØ Ðindigenous€people.€Ð tÄ ÐÌòòConcluding€observations€by€individual€members€óóÐ L œ ÐÌ297.€€Members€of€the€Committee€thanked€the€representative€of€the€State€party€for€his€cooperationÐ $ t Ðin€presenting€the€report€and€for€responding€to€the€various€questions.€€The€report€contained€detailedÐ  ` Ðinformation€on€laws€and€regulations,€but€fuller€information€could€have€been€provided€on€theÐ ü L  Ðpractices€relating€to€the€implementation€of€the€Covenant.€€They€noted€with€appreciation€that€theÐ è 8  Ðreport€highlighted€factors€and€difficulties€which€had€impeded€the€implementation€of€the€CovenantÐ Ô$  Ðin€Venezuela€during€the€period€under€review.€€Members€welcomed€the€fact€that€democracy€wasÐ À  Ðthriving€in€Venezuela€and€that€a€great€many€laws€and€regulations€dealing€with€human€rights€had€beenÐ ¬ü  Ðadopted€or€submitted€to€Parliament€in€recent€years.€Ð ˜è  ÐÌ298.€€At€the€same€time,€it€was€noted€that€some€of€the€Committee's€concerns€had€not€been€fullyÐ pÀ Ðallayed.€Members€expressed€concern,€in€particular,€at€the€serious€human€rights€violations€such€asÐ \¬ Ðdisappearances,€torture,€extrajudicial€executions€and€arbitrary€arrests€that€had€been€committed€duringÐ H˜ Ðthe€states€of€emergency€in€February€1989€and€early€1992.€€They€were€further€disturbed€by€the€failureÐ 4„ Ðto€take€sufficient€steps€to€punish€those€found€guilty€of€such€violations.€€Additionally,€concern€wasÐ  p Ðexpressed€in€respect€of€the€excessively€long€periods€of€pre-trial€detention;€the€application€of€articleÐ  \ Ð35€of€the€Aliens€Act;€the€conditions€of€detention€in€prisons;€the€trial€of€civilians€by€military€courts;Ð øH Ðand€over€the€Government's€desire€to€integrate€indigenous€groups,€which€might€conflict€with€theirÐ ä4 Ðright€under€article€27€of€the€Covenant€to€enjoy€their€own€culture.€Ð Ð  ÐÌ299.€€The€representative€of€the€State€party€assured€members€of€the€Committee€that€their€commentsÐ ¨ø Ðwould€be€transmitted€to€his€Government,€particularly€in€so€far€as€the€need€to€carry€out€furtherÐ ”ä Ðinvestigations€into€the€events€of€February€1989€was€concerned.€Ð €Ð ÐÌ300.€€In€concluding€the€consideration€of€the€second€periodic€report€of€Venezuela,€the€ChairmanÐ X ¨ Ðexpressed€his€sincere€appreciation€to€the€delegation€for€its€frank€and€cordial€dialogue€with€theÐ D!” ÐCommittee€and€for€the€excellent€report,€which€had€followed€the€Committee's€guidelines.€€HeÐ 0"€  Ðexpressed€the€hope€that€the€competent€authorities€would€take€action€that€would€enable€furtherÐ #l! Ðprogress€to€be€reported€in€the€third€periodic€report.€Ð $X" ÐÌòòComments€of€the€Committeeóó€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ301.€€At€its€1203òòrdóó€meeting€(forty-sixth€session),€held€on€5€November€1992,€the€Committee€adoptedÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€following€comments.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌòòIntroductionóó€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ302.€€The€Committee€commends€the€State€party€on€its€report,€drawn€up€in€accordance€with€theÐ T,¤'+ ÐCommittee's€guidelines€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/20/Rev.1).€€The€report€contains€detailed€information€on€the€law,Ð @-(, Ðalthough€fuller€information€could€have€been€provided€on€practice€relating€to€the€implementation€ofÐ ° Ðthe€Covenant.€Furthermore,€it€highlights€factors€and€difficulties€which€impeded€the€implementationÐ œì Ðof€the€Covenant€in€Venezuela€during€the€period€covered€by€the€report.€€The€Committee,€does,Ð ˆØ Ðhowever,€regret€that€the€report€was€submitted€more€than€seven€years€behind€schedule.€Ð tÄ ÐÌ303.€€The€Committee€also€thanks€the€State€party€for€the€core€document€(Ô_ÔHRIÔ_Ô/CORE/1/Add.3),€drawnÐ L œ Ðup€in€accordance€with€the€consolidated€guidelines€for€the€initial€part€of€States€party€reports€to€beÐ 8 ˆ Ðsubmitted€under€the€various€international€human€rights€instruments€(Ô_ÔHRIÔ_Ô/1991/1).€Ð $ t ÐÌ304.€€The€Committee€pays€tribute€to€the€competence€of€the€delegation€from€the€State€party,€whichÐ ü L  ÐÔ_ÔendeavouredÔ_Ô€to€reply€frankly€and€fully€to€the€many€questions€raised€by€Committee€members.€Ð è 8  ÐÌòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ À  ÐÌ305.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€fact€that€democracy€is€thriving€in€Venezuela€and€notes€withÐ ˜è  Ðsatisfaction€the€adoption€by€or€submission€to€Parliament€in€recent€years€of€a€great€many€laws€andÐ „Ô  Ðregulations€dealing€with€human€rights.€€These€include€important€texts€dealing€with,€for€example,€theÐ pÀ Ðprotection€of€indigenous€peoples€and€equality€between€men€and€women.€€The€Committee€takes€noteÐ \¬ Ðof€provisions€granting€international€human€rights€instruments€precedence€over€Venezuelan€domesticÐ H˜ Ðlaw.€Ð 4„ ÐÌòòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€Covenantóó€Ð  \ ÐÌ306.€€The€Committee€notes€that€a€number€of€states€of€emergency,€resulting€from€riots€caused€byÐ ä4 Ðeconomic€reforms,€have€been€declared€in€the€past€in€Venezuela,€the€most€recent€extending€from€4Ð Ð  ÐFebruary€to€30€April€1992.€€Emergency€measures€notified€to€the€Secretary-General€have€suspendedÐ ¼  Ða€number€of€the€safeguards€called€for€in€the€Covenant,€and€impeded€the€full€implementation€of€theÐ ¨ø ÐCovenant€during€those€periods.€€The€Committee€also€notes€that€outdated€legislation€which€is€still€inÐ ”ä Ðforce€despite€being€severely€criticized€in€Venezuela€is€one€of€the€factors€impeding€the€full€andÐ €Ð Ðcomplete€implementation€of€the€Covenant.€Ð l¼ ÐÌòòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóó€Ð D!” ÐÌ307.€€The€Committee€expresses€concern€at€the€serious€human€rights€violations,€such€as€enforced€andÐ #l! Ðinvoluntary€disappearances,€torture€and€extrajudicial€executions,€that€were€committed€during€theÐ $X" Ðattempted€òòcoup€d'tatóó€in€1989€and€early€1992.€€It€is€disturbed€by€the€failure€to€take€sufficient€stepsÐ ô$D # Ðto€punish€those€guilty€of€such€violations,€and€concerned€that€members€of€the€police€force€and€theÐ à%0!$ Ðsecurity€services€and€military€personnel€are€likely€to€go€unpunished€as€a€result.€€It€notes€that€judicialÐ Ì&"% Ðinvestigations€into€such€cases€have€clearly€been€too€slow,€especially€where€members€of€the€armedÐ ¸'#& Ðforces€are€concerned.€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ308.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€that€custody€can€last€as€long€as€16€days€and€emphasizes€thatÐ |*Ì%) Ðit€is€precisely€during€such€periods€that€accused€persons€are€most€vulnerable,€in€particular€to€acts€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðtorture€or€ill-treatment.€€The€possibility€that€civilians€may€be€tried€by€military€courts€is€likewise€aÐ T,¤'+ Ðmatter€of€concern€to€the€Committee.€Ð @-(, Ї309.€€The€Committee€also€expresses€its€concern€over€the€application€of€article€35€of€the€Aliens€Act,Ð ° Ðwhich€does€not€provide€for€any€possibility€of€appeal,€and€over€conditions€of€detention€in€places€ofÐ œì Ðimprisonment.€Ð ˆØ ÐÌòòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóó€Ð `° ÐÌ310.€€The€Committee€recommends€the€State€party€to€take€whatever€steps€are€necessary€to€combat€allÐ 8 ˆ Ðhuman€rights€violations,€in€particular€those€that€may€have€been€committed€during€the€various€statesÐ $ t Ðof€emergency.€€The€State€party€should€see€to€it€that€all€members€of€the€armed€forces€of€the€policeÐ  ` Ðwho€have€committed€violations€of€the€rights€guaranteed€by€the€Covenant€are€tried€and€punished€byÐ ü L  Ðcivilian€courts.€€The€duration€of€custody€should€be€reviewed,€and€an€accused€person€should€beÐ è 8  Ðallowed€to€undergo€a€medical€examination€upon€request€and€to€have€access€to€his€lawyer€from€theÐ Ô$  Ðtime€of€arrest.€€Steps€should€also€be€taken€to€make€the€remedy€of€òòÔ_ÔamparoÔ_Ôóó€effective,€and€to€improveÐ À  Ðconditions€in€places€of€detention€substantially.€€The€list€of€rights€that€cannot€be€derogated€from,€evenÐ ¬ü  Ðduring€states€of€emergency,€should€be€extended€to€include€all€the€rights€covered€by€article€4,Ð ˜è  Ðparagraph€2,€of€the€Covenant.€€Further€measures€should€be€taken€pursuant€to€article€27€of€theÐ „Ô  ÐCovenant,€in€order€to€guarantee€indigenous€peoples€their€own€cultural€life€and€the€use€of€their€ownÐ pÀ Ðlanguage.€€Lastly,€a€special€effort€should€be€made€to€support€the€activities€of€the€Human€RightsÐ \¬ ÐOffice.€€The€Committee€also€recommends€that€training€courses€should€be€organized€for€members€ofÐ H˜ Ðthe€police,€the€armed€forces€and€the€security€forces€as€well€as€for€other€law€enforcement€officials,Ð 4„ Ðso€as€to€better€acquaint€them€with€basic€human€rights€principles€and€norms.€Ð  p ÐÌÔUK.,US.,zÌÔÓÀÓÐ  øH Ðò òÔ‡X¨XXX¨ÔÔUSUK.,ÔÔ_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô€A/56/40ó óÐ ° ÐÓ  ÓÌ77.ò ò€€òòó óVenezuelaóóÐ ˆØ ÐÌ(1)€€The€Committee€considered€the€third€periodic€report€of€Venezuela€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔVENÔ_Ô/98/3€andÐ d´ ÐAddendum)€at€its€1899th€and€1900th€meetings,€held€on€19€and€20€March€2001,€and€adopted€theÐ P   Ðfollowing€concluding€observations€at€its€1918th€meeting,€held€on€2€April€2001.Ð < Œ ÐÌÔ& Ø ÔòòIntroductionóóÐ  d ÐÔ'Ø +bÔÌ(2)€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€State€partyððs€third€periodic€report€and€the€opportunity€to€be€ableÐ ì <  Ðto€continue€its€review€of€the€human€rights€situation€in€Venezuela€with€a€delegation€that€includedÐ Ø(  Ðofficials€from€various€Government€bodies.€€However,€it€regrets€the€delay€in€submission€of€the€reportÐ Ä  Ðand€the€lack€of€information€on€the€de€facto€human€rights€situation€in€both€the€report€and€theÐ °  Ðaddendum,€which€greatly€hindered€it€in€determining€whether€human€rights€are€fully€and€effectivelyÐ œì  Ðexercised€and€enjoyed€in€Venezuela.Ð ˆØ  ÐÌÔ& Ø ÔòòPositive€aspectsóóÐ `° ÐÔ'Ø`üdÔÌ(3)€€The€Committee€expresses€its€satisfaction€at€the€fact€that€the€Constitution€gives€internationalÐ 8ˆ Ðhuman€rights€instruments€a€status€equal€to€that€of€the€Constitution€itself.Ð $t ÐÌ(4)€€The€Committee€also€notes€with€satisfaction€the€numerous€provisions€of€the€Constitution€whichÐ üL Ðare€designed€to€recognize€and€guarantee€various€human€rights,€including€the€establishment€of€anÐ è8 ÐOffice€of€the€Ombudsman.Ð Ô$ ÐÌòòSubjects€of€concern€and€recommendationsóóÐ ¬ü ÐÌ(5)€€The€Committee€is€concerned€to€discover€that€article19€of€the€Constitution€guarantees€citizensÐ „Ô Ðtheir€rights€ð ðin€accordance€with€the€principle€of€progressivenessðð,€a€principle€that€has€not€beenÐ pÀ Ðsatisfactorily€explained.Ð \ ¬ ÐÌ(6)€€The€Committee€is€gravely€concerned€at€the€reports€of€disappearances,€despite€the€fact€that€suchÐ 4"„  Ðacts€have€been€defined€as€crimes€under€the€new€legislation.€€It€is€also€concerned€at€the€lack€of€actionÐ  #p! Ðby€the€State€to€deal€with€disappearances€that€occurred€in€1989.€€The€delegationððs€statement€thatÐ  $\" Ðinvestigations€of€the€disappearances€are€being€pursued€is€unsatisfactory.Ð ø$H # ÐÌTaking€into€account€the€provisions€of€articles€6,€7€and€9€of€the€Covenant,€the€State€party€should€giveÐ Ð& "% Ðspecial€priority€to€rapid€and€effective€investigations€designed€to€determine€the€whereabouts€of€theÐ ¼' #& Ðdisappeared€persons€and€those€responsible€for€disappearances.€€The€State€party€should€also€take€allÐ ¨(ø#' Ðnecessary€measures€to€prevent€disappearances,€including€adoption€of€the€legislation€described€inÐ ”)ä$( Ðarticle€45€of€the€Constitution.Ð €*Ð%) ÐÌ(7)€€The€Committee€is€also€gravely€concerned€at€the€many€reports€of€extrajudicial€executions€and€theÐ X,¨'+ Ðfailure€of€the€State€party€to€react€to€them.Ð D-”(, ЇThe€State€party€should€conduct€investigations€to€identify€those€responsible€for€extrajudicialÐ ° Ðexecutions€and€bring€them€to€justice.€€It€should€also€take€the€necessary€measures€to€prevent€theÐ œì Ðoccurrence€of€such€violations€of€article€6€of€the€Covenant.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ(8)€€The€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€the€reports€of€torture€and€excessive€use€of€force€by€theÐ `° Ðpolice€and€other€security€forces€in€breach€of€article7€of€the€Covenant;€the€State€partyððs€apparentÐ L œ Ðdelay€in€responding€to€such€occurrences;€and€the€absence€of€independent€mechanisms€to€investigateÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€reports€in€question.€€The€right€of€recourse€to€the€courts€is€not€a€substitute€for€such€mechanisms.Ð $ t ÐÌThe€State€party€should€establish€an€independent€body€empowered€to€receive€and€investigate€allÐ ü L  Ðreports€of€excessive€use€of€force€and€other€abuses€of€authority€by€the€police€and€other€security€forces,Ð è 8  Ðto€be€followed,€where€appropriate,€by€prosecution€of€those€who€appear€to€be€responsible€for€them.€Ð Ô$  ÐThe€Committee€also€urges€the€State€party€to€pass€laws€giving€effect€to€the€prohibition€of€torture€andÐ À  Ðcruel,€inhuman€and€degrading€treatment€laid€down€in€article7€of€the€Covenant€and€article46€of€theÐ ¬ü  ÐConstitution,€and€strengthen€the€human€rights€education€programmes€for€all€State€officials€whoseÐ ˜è  Ðfunctions€are€related€to€the€treatment€of€detainees.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ(9)€€The€Committee€regrets€the€lack€of€detailed€information€on€detention€by€the€police.€€It€is€alsoÐ \¬ Ðconcerned€at€the€lack€of€clarity€on€the€status€and€powers€of€the€Sectoral€Department€of€IntelligenceÐ H˜ Ðand€Presentation€Services€(Ô_ÔDISIPÔ_Ô),€especially€given€the€large€number€of€complaints€about€theÐ 4„ Ðtreatment€of€detainees.Ð  p ÐÌTo€enable€the€Committee€to€evaluate€its€compliance€with€articles9,€10€and14€of€the€Covenant,€theÐ øH ÐState€party€needs€to€tell€it€whether€detained€persons€are€brought€before€a€judge€or€an€official€withÐ ä4 Ðjudicial€authority€without€delay;€whether€a€lawyer€may€be€present€during€their€interrogation€by€theÐ Ð  Ðpolice;€whether€they€are€automatically€given€medical€check-ups€on€entering€and€after€being€releasedÐ ¼  Ðfrom€police€custody;€what€regulations€govern€the€holding€of€detained€persons€incommunicado;Ð ¨ø Ðwhether€appropriate€legislation€has€been€enacted€to€implement€all€the€provisions€of€the€ConstitutionÐ ”ä Ðwith€respect€to€detention;€and€the€status€and€powers€of€Ô_ÔDISIPÔ_Ô.Ð €Ð ÐÌ(10)€€The€Committee€regrets€the€lack€of€information€on€the€average€time€spent€in€detention€awaitingÐ X ¨ Ðjudgement.€€The€length€of€such€detention€may€raise€issues€of€compatibility€with€article9,€paragraphÐ D!” Ð3,€and€article€14€of€the€Covenant.Ð 0"€  ÐÌThe€State€party€should€speed€up€trials€and€abide€strictly€by€article9,€paragraph3,€of€the€CovenantÐ $X" Ðin€order€to€bring€the€situation€into€line€with€the€requirements€of€the€Covenant.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ(11)€€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€conditions€in€Venezuelan€prisons€and€places€of€detention,€sinceÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€delegation€itself€acknowledged€that€most€human€rights€violations€in€Venezuela€occur€in€suchÐ ¸'#& Ðplaces.€€The€overcrowding€and€failure€to€segregate€detainees€awaiting€judgement€from€convicts€areÐ ¤(ô#' Ðincompatible€with€the€Covenant.Ð )à$( ÐÌÌThe€recently€established€institutional€mechanisms€(supervising€prosecutors€and€Ô_Ôprison-supervisingÐ T,¤'+ Ðjudges)€for€supervising€conditions€in€prisons€and€investigating€the€complaints€of€prisoners€shouldÐ @-(, Ðbe€strengthened€with€a€view€to€the€implementation€of€articles€7€and€10€of€the€Covenant.Ð ° ÐÌ(12)€€While€the€Committee€in€principle€welcomes€the€reform€of€the€Code€of€Criminal€Procedure,€itÐ ˆØ Ðis€concerned€at€the€lack€of€information€on€the€provisions€of€the€Code€offering€guarantees€of€a€fairÐ tÄ Ðtrial€as€called€for€by€article€14€of€the€Covenant.Ð `° ÐÌThe€State€party€should€provide€such€information€as€soon€as€possible.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ(13)€€The€Committee€is€particularly€concerned€at€the€situation€of€the€judiciary€in€Venezuela,€whichÐ  ` Ðis€still€undergoing€reform.€€An€extended€reform€process€threatens€the€independence€of€the€judiciary,Ð ü L  Ðgiven€the€possibility€that€judges€could€be€removed€as€a€result€of€the€performance€of€their€duties,€thusÐ è 8  Ðinfringing€article2,€paragraph3,€and€article14€of€the€Covenant.€€Another€cause€for€concern€is€theÐ Ô$  Ðlack€of€information€on€the€effects€of€the€reform€process€to€date€and€the€absence€of€a€date€for€thatÐ À  Ðprocess€to€come€to€an€end.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌThe€reform€of€the€judiciary€must€not€continue.€€The€State€party€should€furnish€information€on€theÐ „Ô  Ðnumber€of€judges€removed€during€the€process,€the€reasons€for€their€removal,€and€the€procedureÐ pÀ Ðfollowed.Ð \¬ ÐÌ(14)€€The€Committeeððs€concern€about€the€independence€of€the€judiciary€extends€to€the€information,Ð 4„ Ðdelivered€by€the€delegation,€that€article275€of€the€Constitution€empowers€the€National€EthicsÐ  p ÐCouncil€(òòConsejo€Moral€Republicanoóó)€comprising€the€Ombudsman,€the€Attorney-General€and€theÐ  \ ÐComptroller-General€to€issue€warnings€to€judges,€even€those€of€the€Supreme€Court,€and€imposeÐ øH Ðsanctions€if€those€warnings€are€not€heeded.Ð ä4 ÐÌThe€State€party€should€carry€out€a€careful€review€of€the€enabling€bill€for€article275€of€theÐ ¼  ÐConstitution€in€order€to€safeguard€the€independence€of€the€judiciary€in€accordance€with€article2,Ð ¨ø Ðparagraph3,€and€article€14€of€the€Covenant.Ð ”ä ÐÌ(15)€€The€Committee€is€greatly€concerned€at€the€treatment€of€persons€seeking€asylum€or€refuge€inÐ l¼ ÐVenezuela,€especially€those€entering€the€country€from€Colombia,€chiefly€because€of€the€lack€ofÐ X ¨ Ðnational€legislation€establishing€selection€criteria€for€asylum-seekers€even€though€there€are€bilateralÐ D!” Ðarrangements€between€Colombia€and€Venezuela€on€such€matters.€€The€Committee€is€also€concernedÐ 0"€  Ðabout€the€possible€breach€of€the€principle€of€non-refoulement.Ð #l! ÐÌThe€State€party€should€ensure€compliance€with€articles€7€and€13€of€the€Covenant€and€with€the€normsÐ ô$D # Ðof€general€international€law,€adhere€to€or€implement€the€relevant€international€conventions,€provideÐ à%0!$ Ðaccess€to€the€relevant€specialized€agencies€in€the€areas€concerned,€and€seek€the€assistance,€ifÐ Ì&"% Ðnecessary,€of€the€international€bodies€dealing€with€the€matter.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ(16)€€The€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€by€the€information€on€trafficking€in€women€to€Venezuela,Ð )à$( Ðespecially€from€neighbouring€countries,€and€by€the€lack€of€information€from€the€delegation€on€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðextent€of€the€problem€and€action€to€combat€it.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌPreventive€measures€should€be€taken€to€eliminate€the€trafficking€in€women€in€order€to€comply€Ô_ÔwithÐ @-(, Ðthe€provisions€of€articles€7€and€8€of€the€Covenant€and€set€up€rehabilitation€programmes€for€theÐ ° Ðvictims.€€The€laws€and€policies€of€the€State€party€should€provide€protection€and€support€for€theÐ œì Ðvictims.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ(17)€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€level€of€violence€against€women,€including€the€manyÐ `° Ðreported€cases€of€Ô_ÔkidnappingÔ_Ô€and€murder€that€have€not€resulted€in€arrests€or€prosecution€of€thoseÐ L œ Ðresponsible.€€It€is€also€concerned€at€the€many€allegations€of€rape€or€torture€of€women€in€custody€byÐ 8 ˆ Ðmembers€of€the€security€forces,€offences€such€women€do€not€dare€to€report.€€All€the€foregoing€givesÐ $ t Ðrise€to€serious€concerns€in€the€light€of€articles€6€and€7€of€the€Covenant.Ð  ` ÐÌThe€State€party€should€take€effective€measures€to€guarantee€womenððs€safety,€ensure€that€no€pressureÐ è 8  Ðis€put€on€them€to€dissuade€them€from€reporting€such€violations,€that€all€allegations€of€abuses€areÐ Ô$  Ðinvestigated€and€that€those€committing€such€acts€are€brought€to€justice.Ð À  ÐÌ(18)€€The€minimum€marriageable€age,€14€for€girls€and€16€for€boys,€and€the€fact€that€such€age€mayÐ ˜è  Ðbe€lowered€without€any€limits€for€girls€in€case€of€pregnancy€or€childbirth,€raises€problems€withÐ „Ô  Ðrespect€to€the€fulfilment€by€the€State€party€of€its€obligation€under€article€24,€paragraph€1,€to€protectÐ pÀ Ðminors.€€Marriage€at€such€an€early€age€does€not€appear€to€be€compatible€with€article€23€of€theÐ \¬ ÐCovenant,€which€requires€the€free€and€full€consent€of€the€intending€spouses.€€The€Committee€is€alsoÐ H˜ Ðconcerned€at€the€early€age€of€sexual€consent€(12)€for€girls.Ð 4„ ÐÌThe€State€party€should€amend€the€relevant€law€to€bring€it€into€line€with€articles€23,€24€and3€of€theÐ  \ ÐCovenant.Ð øH ÐÌ(19)€€The€Ô_ÔcriminalizationÔ_Ô€of€all€non-therapeutic€abortion€poses€serious€problems,€particularly€in€theÐ Ð  Ðlight€of€unchallenged€reports€that€many€women€are€undergoing€life-threatening€illegal€abortions.€€TheÐ ¼  Ðlegal€duty€imposed€on€health€workers€to€report€cases€where€women€have€undergone€abortions€mayÐ ¨ø Ðdeter€women€from€seeking€medical€treatment,€thereby€endangering€their€lives.€Ð ”ä ÐÌThe€State€party€must€adopt€the€necessary€measures€to€guarantee€the€right€to€life€(art.€6)€for€pregnantÐ l¼ Ðwomen€who€decide€to€terminate€their€pregnancies,€including€amending€the€law€to€create€exceptionsÐ X ¨ Ðto€the€general€prohibition€of€all€non-therapeutic€abortion.€€The€State€party€should€protect€theÐ D!” Ðconfidential€nature€of€medical€information.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ(20)€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€continued€existence€of€a€legal€provision€exempting€aÐ $X" Ðrapist€from€any€penalty€if€he€marries€the€victim.Ð ô$D # ÐÌThe€State€party€should€immediately€repeal€this€legislation,€which€is€incompatible€with€articles€3,€7,Ð Ì&"% Ð23,€26,€2(3)€and24€of€the€Covenant,€particularly€taking€into€account€the€early€age€at€which€girls€canÐ ¸'#& Ðenter€into€marriage.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ(21)€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€insufficient€participation€of€women€in€political€life,€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðjudiciary,€and€other€sectors.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌIn€order€to€comply€with€articles€3€and€25,€the€State€party€should€take€the€appropriate€measures€toÐ @-(, Ðimprove€participation€by€women,€through€affirmative€action€programmes€if€necessary.Ð ° ÐÌ(22)€€With€a€view€to€complying€with€its€obligations€arising€from€articles€2,€3€and€26€of€the€Covenant,Ð ˆØ Ðthe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€amend€all€laws€that€still€discriminate€against€women,Ð tÄ Ðincluding€those€relating€to€adultery€and€the€ban€on€marriage€for€10€months€following€the€dissolutionÐ `° Ðof€a€previous€marriage.Ð L œ ÐÌ(23)€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€lack€of€a€wide-ranging€law€prohibiting€discrimination€inÐ $ t Ðprivate-sector€areas€such€as€employment€and€housing.€€Pursuant€to€article€2,€paragraph€3,€and€articleÐ  ` Ð26€of€the€Covenant,€the€State€party€has€a€duty€to€protect€persons€against€such€discrimination.Ð ü L  ÐÌThe€State€party€should€promulgate€a€law€prohibiting€all€discrimination€and€providing€effectiveÐ Ô$  Ðrecourse€for€all€persons€against€violations€of€their€right€to€non-discrimination.Ð À  ÐÌ(24)€€The€Committee€deplores€the€continually€worsening€situation€of€street€children.€€Those€childrenÐ ˜è  Ðare€at€high€risk€of€sexual€violence€and€are€vulnerable€to€sexual€trafficking.Ð „Ô  ÐÌThe€State€party€should€take€effective€measures€for€the€protection€and€rehabilitation€of€street€children,Ð \¬ Ðpursuant€to€article€24€of€the€Covenant,€including€measures€to€end€sexual€exploitation€and€childÐ H˜ Ðpornography.Ð 4„ ÐÌ(25)€€The€Committee€notes€the€privileged€status€of€the€Roman€Catholic€Church€and€is€concernedÐ  \ Ðabout€the€possible€adverse€effects€of€this€on€other€religions.Ð øH ÐÌThe€State€party€should€guarantee€that€no€religious€community€in€Venezuela€will€sufferÐ Ð  Ðdiscrimination.Ð ¼  ÐÌ(26)€€The€Committee€notes€that€there€is€no€provision€in€Venezuelan€law€for€conscientious€objectionÐ ”ä Ðto€military€service,€which€is€legitimate€pursuant€to€article18€of€the€Covenant.Ð €Ð ÐÌThe€State€party€should€see€to€it€that€individuals€required€to€perform€military€service€can€pleadÐ X ¨ Ðconscientious€objection€and€perform€alternative€service€without€discrimination.Ð D!” ÐÌ(27)€€The€Committee€is€very€concerned€about€interference€by€the€authorities€in€trade-union€activitiesÐ #l! Ðincluding€the€free€election€of€union€leaders.Ð $X" ÐÌThe€State€party€should,€pursuant€to€article22€of€the€Covenant,€guarantee€that€unions€are€free€toÐ à%0!$ Ðconduct€their€business€and€choose€their€business€without€official€interference.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ(28)€€The€Committee€commends€the€State€party€for€its€constitutional€provisions€relating€toÐ ¤(ô#' Ðindigenous€populations,€particularly€articles€120€and€123€requiring€indigenous€communities€to€beÐ )à$( Ðnotified€and€consulted€beforehand€if€the€State€wished€to€exploit€natural€resources€in€areas€theyÐ |*Ì%) Ðinhabited€and€enshrining€the€right€of€indigenous€peoples€to€pursue€and€promote€their€own€economicÐ h+¸&* Ðpractices.€€It€regrets,€however,€the€lack€of€any€information€regarding€the€practical€implementationÐ T,¤'+ Ðof€those€constitutional€provisions.Ð @-(, ЇThe€State€party€should€provide€information€to€the€Committee€on€the€implementation€of€thoseÐ ° Ðconstitutional€provisions€with€a€view€to€complying€with€article€27.Ð œì ÐÌ(29)€€The€State€party€should€widely€publicize€the€text€of€its€third€periodic€report,€the€addendum€andÐ tÄ Ðthese€concluding€observations.Ð `° ÐÌ(30)€€The€State€party€should,€pursuant€to€article70,€paragraph5,€of€the€Committeeððs€rules€ofÐ 8 ˆ Ðprocedure,€furnish€within€one€year€information€on€any€action€it€takes€in€the€light€of€the€CommitteeððsÐ $ t Ðrecommendations€on€enforced€or€involuntary€disappearances€(paras.(6)€and(7)€above),€torture€andÐ  ` Ðthe€excessive€use€of€force€by€the€police€and€other€security€forces€(para.(8)),€police€detention€andÐ ü L  Ðdetention€while€awaiting€judgement€(paras.(9)€and(10)),€prisons€(para.(11))€and€the€status€of€theÐ è 8  Ðjudiciary€and€due€process€(paras.(12)„(14)).€€The€Committee€requests€the€incorporation€ofÐ Ô$  Ðinformation€on€the€remainder€of€its€recommendations€in€the€fourth€periodic€report,€due€forÐ À  Ðsubmission€by€1€April€2005.Ð ¬ü  ÐÔ#†X¨XXX¨ø_#ÔÔUK.,US.,`ÔÌÌ