Dissident from Caracas Nine Awarded Cato Liberty Prize

Posted 11:28 AM -- April 30, 2008

NEW YORK -- Embattled Venezuelan student leader Yon Goicoechea is the fourth recipient of the Cato Institute’s Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty. Last November, Mr. Goicoechea was chosen by the Human Rights Foundation as one of nine illustrative cases of human rights violations occurring in Venezuela. He became Number Two of the Caracas Nine (www.CaracasNine.com). continue reading >>

Venezuelan Web radio struggles

Posted 4:57 PM -- April 7, 2008

A struggling Doral station keeps Venezuelans in their South American country informed about what's happening there as President Hugo Chávez cracks down on press freedoms. continue reading >>

Ecuadorian Broadcasting Association alerts HRF to possible freedom of expression violations in Ecuador

Posted 12:09 PM -- February 29, 2008

In a letter dated February 28, the Ecuadorian Broadcasting Association informed the Human Rights Foundation of a proposal by President Correa’s party that would allow the government to indiscriminately revoke radio and television licenses in an attempt to control the Ecuadorian media. The government would then have the power to reissue the media concessions according to undetermined criteria. Such a proposal, if adopted, would be a clear blow to freedom of expression in Ecuador and would violate due process. The letter concludes with an invitation to HRF and other human rights organizations to help prevent such flagrant violations of human rights from occurring in Ecuador. continue reading >>

Venezuelan government continues attack on independent media; Alberto Federico Ravell is “Caracas Nine” dissident #3

Posted 2:09 PM -- January 17, 2008

Employees and directors of Globovisión, Venezuela’s only remaining independent 24-hour news and information channel, have survived more than five years of attacks and death threats for exercising their free speech. The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) released a report this week detailing human rights violations against the people who work for the TV station. continue reading >>

HRF Researcher Shot in Venezuela

Posted 9:53 AM -- January 7, 2008

Monica Fernandez, former judge and one of the leaders of the Foro Penal Venezolano, was shot Saturday afternoon in circumstances that, prior to a full investigation, the government of Venezuela has declared a “car robbery.” Ms. Fernandez directs the Venezuelan research division of the Human Rights Foundation (HRF). Ms. Fernandez was kidnapped and shot at point-blank range while loading her car with plants she had bought with her fiancé, Javier Herrera. Mr. Herrera, a police officer, was shot five times while trying to prevent the attack. Mr. Herrera killed one of the aggressors; the other drove off with Ms. Fernandez. He later released her and left the car parked nearby. Both Ms. Fernandez and Mr. Herrera are hospitalized in Caracas. continue reading >>

Francisco Usón is Free; HRF's First Prisoner of Conscience Conditionally Released

Posted 6:39 PM -- December 25, 2007

At 7:30 p.m. on December 24, 2007 in Caracas, Venezuela, the Human Rights Foundation's first political prisoner and prisoner of conscience, Franciso Usón, was freed by the judge presiding over appeals in his case. continue reading >>

Video Highlights Human Rights Violations in Venezuela; Caracas Nine Preview Now Available on YouTube

Posted 1:42 PM -- November 30, 2007

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HRF Seeks Protection for Leader of Student Movement in Venezuela; Yon Goicoechea is “Caracas Nine” Dissident #2

Posted 3:30 PM -- November 29, 2007

Yon Goicoechea, the leader of the student-led protest movement in Venezuela, has survived numerous physical assaults at the hands of police and supporters of Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez. The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) released a report today detailing specific instances of human rights violations in the case of Goicoechea and the student movement in general. continue reading >>

The Human Rights Foundation advocates for Francisco Usón’s freedom

Posted 11:23 AM -- November 7, 2007

As part of the first case of political prosecution highlighted by the Human Rights Foundation for the Caracas Nine project, HRF declares its absolute disapproval and profound concern with the fact that Francisco Usón was not released today as had been previously promised to him. continue reading >>

The press' freedom is waning

Posted 2:21 PM -- October 12, 2007

When editors and publishers of leading media outlets in the hemisphere gather in Miami this week for the Inter American Press Association's 63rd annual conference, they will pay particular attention to the state of press freedom in the region. For seven decades that has been a key agenda subject.  continue reading >>

Artists Reunite for Human Rights in Latin America; Concert Tour in New York to Stress the Plight of the Caracas Nine

Posted 2:48 PM -- October 1, 2007

The Fenwicks, a third wave ska band, have joined forces with New York-based Human Rights Foundation (HRF) to draw attention to political persecution in Latin America—specifically, the cases of nine individuals in Venezuela: the Caracas Nine. The Fenwicks are reuniting as one of the opening acts on Boston based ska band Big D and the Kids Table with its Fall Tour starting this Sunday, October 28 at the Knitting Factory in New York and ending November 2 at Studio A in Miami. continue reading >>

Student movement denounces "Chávez's abuses"

Posted 5:06 PM -- September 21, 2007

Venezuelan student movement "Manos por la libertad" (Hands for Freedom) Thursday in Madrid, with support from some Spanish political groups, denounced "the abuses of the dictatorship" of President Hugo Chávez against freedoms and human rights, Efe reported. continue reading >>

Predictions for a Venezuelan Future

Posted 3:29 PM -- June 21, 2007

The Latin Business Chronicle gathers eight regional experts to tackle questions regarding Venezuela's fate--namely, how long will Chávez last? continue reading >>

International Press Institute Reaffirms Decision to Keep Venezuela on Watch List

Posted 10:55 AM -- June 13, 2007

The decision was reaffirmed at following IPI Board meetings and on 21 May 2007, after the Executive Board of IPI voted to keep Venezuela on the list, IPI stated: ", "The blatantly politically motivated decision not to renew the broadcasting license of Radio Caracas Television (RCTV) is an interference in the private media and a sign that the press freedom situation in Venezuela is worsening." continue reading >>

IAPA: "Standardized information is sought" in Venezuela

Posted 10:31 AM -- June 13, 2007

Gonzalo Marroquín, president of the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) Committee on Freedom of Press and Information, Sunday in Caracas stated that the Venezuelan government refusal to renew private television channel RCTV broadcast license is intended to "standardize the right to information and results in a very bleak outlook for the whole hemisphere." continue reading >>

A Bid to Ease Chávez's Power Grip: Students Continue Protests in Venezuela; President Threatens Violence

Posted 12:18 PM -- June 8, 2007

A student movement that has swept across Venezuela is posing a strong challenge to President Hugo Chávez's drive to extinguish independent power centers in the universities and media. continue reading >>

Latin American Justice

Posted 12:07 PM -- June 8, 2007

A legislator is discovered to have $90,000 in alleged bribe money hidden in his home freezer. In the United States, the government prosecutes, courts rule, someone goes to jail and the news media report every step of the process. Typically around Latin America, the government doesn't prosecute, because part of a politician's job is to steal and get rich in office.  continue reading >>

OAS silence on Venezuela censorship scary

Posted 11:34 AM -- June 7, 2007

SAN SALVADOR -- This week's failure by most Latin American countries to speak out against Venezuela's censorship of its oldest nationwide television network at the Organization of American States' annual meeting in Panama marked a serious setback for freedom of the press -- and democracy -- in the region. continue reading >>

Censorship in Venezuela: the RCTV case

Posted 11:27 AM -- June 7, 2007

Why did Hugo Chavez shut down his country's main private TV station? The non-renewal of the licence of the main opposition station is part of a broader trend in Chavista Venezuela, says Daniel Duquenal. continue reading >>

HRF calls for an immediate end to the human rights abuses against peaceful student protesters in Venezuela

Posted 5:03 PM -- June 6, 2007

In light of the recent student protests surrounding the shutdown of RCTV, HRF communicated today with the president of Venezuela in condemnation of the excessive measures taken by Venezuelan security forces against protesters as they demonstrate for freedom of speech in Venezuela. HRF alerted the OAS, the UN, and numerous other civil organizations of the several human rights violations in this case, including detentions, the use of firearms, and physical violence against peaceful protesters. continue reading >>

The American Prospect: Hugo Chavez's Television Crisis

Posted 3:22 PM -- June 6, 2007

Temir Porras, who began working in the Chávez government in 2001 and is currently an advisor to the minister of industry and commerce, said in an interview, "Of course there are political motivations [to the RCTV decision], and I support that. A media outlet should not adopt one particular political line.... I am sure that when the Globovisión concession expires, Chávez will not renew it -- we can say that right now.... Essentially, those that collaborate with the government project will be left in peace -- that can be said about media outlets as much as landowners or other actors." continue reading >>

More Venezuelan political cartoons

Posted 1:35 PM -- June 6, 2007

Another selection of political cartoons criticizing the Venezuelan government for its decision to shut down RCTV.  continue reading >>

Silence = Despotism

Posted 12:13 PM -- June 6, 2007

Alejandro Toledo, the president of Peru from 2001 to 2006, contributes an editorial in today’s New York Times about how censorship in Venezuela threatens all of Latin America. continue reading >>

NEW YORK POST: Hugo & the Media Kings

Posted 7:58 AM -- June 6, 2007

Today’s New York Post publishes an opinion column by HRF President Thor Halvorssen on the struggle for independent media in Venezuela. continue reading >>

New York Times writes about freedom of speech in Venezuela

Posted 4:50 PM -- June 1, 2007

Read today's article by Simon Romero. continue reading >>

English-lanuguage political cartoons criticize RCTV shutdown

Posted 9:11 AM -- June 1, 2007

More political cartoons critical of the Venezuelan government's decision to shut down RCTV. continue reading >>

French Socialist Party condemns Chávez for RCTV shutdown

Posted 4:56 PM -- May 31, 2007

Read the statement from the Socialist Party of France against the shutdown of RCTV here (in French). continue reading >>

Hugo Chavez versus RCTV

Posted 10:58 AM -- May 30, 2007

Venezuela's oldest private TV network played a major role in a failed 2002 coup. continue reading >>

Venezuela's Chavez widens attack on opposition media

Posted 9:11 AM -- May 30, 2007

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday called opposition news channel Globovision an enemy of the state and said he would do what was needed to stop it from inciting violence, only days after he shut another opposition broadcaster. continue reading >>

Chávez warns private TV news station

Posted 1:11 PM -- May 29, 2007

President Hugo Chávez's government Tuesday began legal action against a private TV station for allegedly inciting people to kill him, even as protesters against his weekend shutdown of the RCTV station continued to clash sporadically with police. continue reading >>

Troops fire tear gas, rubber bullets in TV station protest

Posted 8:58 AM -- May 29, 2007

Venezuelan police fired tear gas and plastic bullets into a crowd of thousands protesting a decision by President Hugo Chavez that forced a television station critical of his leftist government off the air. continue reading >>

Power without limits

Posted 3:37 PM -- May 27, 2007

In the last few minutes of this night in May and with all of the musical notes of the "Gloria al Bravo Pueblo" of the National Anthem, Radio Caracas Television goes off the air. The TV station that for more than fifty years was one of the windows through which we peeked at our country and the world, will have been silenced. Tonight a fundamental stage in the history of our country's communications will end. continue reading >>

RCTV Shutdown Condemned By Europeans; Chileans; and Senators Clinton, Obama, and Kennedy

Posted 6:16 PM -- May 25, 2007

Two days away from the shutdown of Venezuela’s leading independent television stations, a growing coalition of condemnation has emerged. It includes the European Parliament; U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (including Senators Lugar, Dodd, Clinton, Obama, Kennedy, and McCain) and organizations as diverse as Reporters Without Borders, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. continue reading >>

Venezuelan Political Cartoons Criticize RCTV Shutdown

Posted 10:48 AM -- May 25, 2007

A selection of recent political cartoons from Venezuelan newspapers criticizing the Venezuelan government’s plan to shutdown the Radio Caracas Television station on Monday. continue reading >>

HRF to OAS’s Insulza: “Do Your Job”

Posted 7:32 PM -- May 23, 2007

HRF issued a plea today in the form of a letter addressed to José Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, to do his job. Insulza dismissed concern about RCTV and said the matter was in the hands of the Venezuelan courts. Venezuela’s highest court ruled today that no appeals from RCTV will be accepted. RCTV will cease transmission on May 27 at midnight. continue reading >>

Tens of Thousands March in Caracas against RCTV Shutdown

Posted 4:51 PM -- May 21, 2007

Tens of thousands of protesters rallied in the streets of Caracas on Saturday to protest the Venezuelan president”s plans to shutdown RCTV. RCTV president Marcel Granier addressed the crowd, saying that the Venezuelan president was trying to “topple the country over the precipice of totalitarianism where not even his own supporters can express their opinions.” continue reading >>

Cuban-Venezuelan Actress and Singer María Conchita Alonso Defends RCTV's Right to Dissent; Joins HRF Campaign for Prisoners of Conscience

Posted 9:06 AM -- May 16, 2007

María Conchita Alonso has joined the Human Rights Foundation's campaign in support of political prisoners in Venezuela. She declared today: "I am devoted to the liberation of those wrongfully imprisoned for doing nothing more than expressing themselves and those who are guilty of nothing more than fighting corruption or doing their jobs. These include Francisco Uson, a former cabinet minister and democracy activist; Humberto Quintero, a former national guardsman who captured an important leader of a Colombian terrorist organization; and former captain Otto Gebauer, who was sentenced for twelve years for peaceful civil disobedience." continue reading >>

Government of Venezuela distributes book on its position regarding the RCTV shutdown

Posted 4:23 PM -- May 14, 2007

The Venezuelan Ministry of the People's power for Communication and Information has released a 183-page book entitlted the "White Book of RCTV" where it lays out the government's case against RCTV. Available here on the Free RCTV website (only in Spanish) it contains the government's position and justification for the shutdown. continue reading >>

Washington Post: Dead Air in Caracas

Posted 10:40 AM -- May 14, 2007

For years defenders of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez have harped on what they described as the domination of the country's independent media by his opponents -- proof, it was said, that Chávez was no dictator. Two weeks from today that argument will lose all credibility. By then, Radio Caracas Television, or RCTV, Venezuela's most popular television network, will almost certainly be off the air -- on Chávez's personal order. continue reading >>

Amnesty International follows HRF's lead: Takes position on RCTV shutdown as a threat freedom of speech in Venezuela

Posted 12:05 AM -- May 11, 2007

Today, human rights organization Amnesty International warned about the dangers to freedom of speech in Venezuela as the Government threatens TV station RCTV with shutdown after announcing that it would not renew its concession. continue reading >>

Miguel Octavio: We should all work to defend our rights, stop the shutdown of RCTV

Posted 9:53 PM -- May 9, 2007

In nineteen days, the Venezuelan Government is likely to execute the shutdown of TV station RCTV, which has been broadcasting for more than 50 years in Venezuela. While some people cling to the hope that the Venezuelan president is so concerned about the international repercussions of the canceling of the concession that the Supreme Court will intervene, I just don't buy it. This is another whim and another very calculated move in the Preisdent's quest for total power and control of Venezuela. continue reading >>

Venezuela responds to HRF petition; Ambassador states that RCTV was punished for being "contrary to the public moral"

Posted 1:11 PM -- May 9, 2007

Thousands of letters have been sent by people from across the world using this website. Many of them have started receiving responses from the Venezuelan government. We enclose an unedited, complete copy of the response provided by Ramón Herrera Navarro, the ambassador of Venezuela to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ambassador Navarro’s response contradicts the Venezuelan president's statements on television and speaks for itself. continue reading >>

HRF Condemns Venezuelan Government Shutdown of TV Station, Announces FreeRCTV Website, and Brings Case to the Attention of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Posted 10:41 PM -- May 7, 2007

In a meeting today held in honor of Ban Ki-moon at the UN Association, Human Rights Foundation president Thor Halvorssen brought the escalating crisis over the impending shutdown of Venezuelan TV channel RCTV to the Secretary-General’s attention, giving him a copy of a letter to Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, co-authored by former UN ambassador Armando Valladares.  continue reading >>

Colombia, Peru, and Mexico: Support for RCTV

Posted 9:30 PM -- May 6, 2007

May 5 -– Leading the charge for the defense of democracy in Venezuela, thousands of journalists, professionals, students and citizens throughout Latin America continue to voice a mass protest over the impending shutdown of a half-century-old TV station in Caracas, RCTV. continue reading >>

World Press Freedom Day, Except in Some Countries

Posted 8:41 PM -- May 3, 2007

May 3 -- On World Press Freedom Day, U.S. president George W. Bush and several organizations criticized the Venezuelan government for the decline of press freedom in the country. continue reading >>