URGENT ACTION

INCOMMUNICADO DETAINEE NOW INDICTED
Maury Carrero, detained arbitrarily in April 2020 by officers of the Directorate for Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) in Caracas, was indicted on 19 May by the prosecution. She is accused of ‘concealing firearms’ and ‘association to commit crimes’, both under counterterrorism laws. With almost no contact with her attorneys and family since 1 May, she remains at risk of torture. We demand Maury’s release, protection for her integrity while in custody and respect for all due process guarantees during her trial.

TAKE ACTION: WRITE AN APPEAL IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR USE THIS MODEL LETTER

President Nicolás Maduro
C/O Her Excellency Mrs Rocío Maneiro 
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
1 Cromwell Road SW7 2HW
020 7584 4206 or 020 7581 2776
Fax 020 7589 8887
ambassador@venezlon.co.uk 
reinounido.embajada.gob.ve 
 Twitter: @NicolasMaduro

Dear Nicolás Maduro,

I am concerned about the continuing use of arbitrary detentions, torture, disappearances, and other human rights violations in Venezuela, particularly as your government uses the COVID-19 pandemic to further abuse its power. 

After being arbitrarily detained on 2 April 2020 by DGCIM officials, Maury Carrero was indicted with crimes under counterterrorism legislation on 19 May. Since she’s been in custody, Maury Carrero’s family and lawyers have repeatedly been denied access to and communication with her. Incommunicado detention for prolonged periods of time can amount to torture under human rights law.

I demand the release of Maury Carrero during the duration of her trial, respecting all due process guarantees. Until then, I demand that authorities uphold Maury Carrero’s personal integrity, as well as give immediate and adequate access to her lawyers and family. 

Cordially,

Additional information

As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, Nicolás Maduro’s government has used this crisis to further expand and abuse its power. The government has escalated its use of arbitrary detentions of opposition members, real or perceived, as well as other critics. Furthermore, there is evidence of torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial executions committed by the Maduro government. 
On 2 April 2020, approximately 15 DGCIM officials raided the home of Maury Carrero. In the process, they took many of the family’s valuables and electronics. The officials advised Maury Carrero’s parents that they were taking her temporarily and would bring her back home, as the search warrant did not include her name on it. Maury Carrero did not return home that night. Since her detention, she was only been permitted an extremely short phone call approximately once a week the first month of detention, during which officials were present the entire time and she was unable to speak freely nor safely about the conditions of her detention. Since she was transferred to National Institute for Women's Guidance (INOF by its acronym in Spanish) facilities on 14 May, officials have denied her access to her family and lawyers under the excuse of the state of alarm that has been in place as response to the COVID-19 pandemic since 13 March 2020. 
On 19 May, she was indicted by the prosecution with ‘concealment of firearms’ and ‘association to commit crimes’, both under the Venezuelan Organic Law Against Organised Crime and Financing of terrorism. The indictment was brought before the Second Special Judge with jurisdiction in cases related to crimes associated with ‘terrorism’. She had initially been charged with terrorism, association to commit crime, concealment of firearms and explosives, and concealment of a minor quantity of drugs, but not formally indicted until 19 May. 
Maury Carrero’s arrest is another example of the Maduro government’s policy of repression. Intimidation, harassment, torture, arbitrarily detentions and enforced disappearances are common practices of the DGCIM and the Maduro government. In recent years, dozens of opposition politicians have been forced to flee the country and request asylum in the face of threats they have received from the Maduro government; others have been arbitrarily arrested for being related to an opposition leader or activist. Ordinary Venezuelans who dare criticize their government or join protests also face the threat of detention, and some have suffered forced disappearances or have been killed by security forces. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, medical personnel, journalists and others have faced detention after calling attention to new COVID-19 cases or to the scarcity of medical supplies and basic goods. 
In last year’s report, Hunger for Justice: Crimes against Humanity in Venezuela, Amnesty International concluded that the selective extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detentions, and deaths and injuries caused by the excessive use of force by Nicolás Maduro’s government as part of a systematic and widespread policy of repression since at least 2017 may constitute crimes against humanity.
Since 2014, Venezuelans have fled in unprecedented numbers in search of safety and a dignified future abroad. By March 2020, over 5 million had fled the country. Due the COVID-19 crisis, many Venezuelans who previously left have been forced back to the country due to collapsing economies and a lack of dedicated support for refugees impacted by the pandemic and its secondary effects. They are also at risk of government retribution.

PREFERRED LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS TARGET: Spanish
You can also write in your own language.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: 16 September 2020
Please check with the Amnesty office in your country if you wish to send appeals after the deadline.

NAME AND PREFFERED PRONOUN: Maury Carrero (she/her)

LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr53/2323/2020/en/

SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDANCE

@NicolasMaduro, STOP criminalising and harassing people. We demand #MauryCarrero is released and her right to due process is guaranteed.

@NicolasMaduro, basta con criminalizar y hostigar a la gente. Exigimos liberen a #MauryCarrero y se respete su derecho al debido proceso.