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writing for godot

Venezuela a "Gulag"? or Of Rights and Distorted Wrongs

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Written by David Starr   
Friday, 05 April 2013 14:54



Ideally, human rights organizations are a necessary gauge on the status of rights in every country. But even these organizations are not pure or immune to criticism.

An example of imperfection occurred in 2012. Joe Emersberger of Znet, in his article entitled "The Latest Howlers From Human Rights Watch on Venezuela" (08/05/2012), asserted that HRW published "yet another voluminous report" on Venezuela before its presidential election in October. Emersberger revealed that HRW "rehashes the debunked claims of its 2008 report." And that "[o]ver 100 scholars, including Noam Chomsky, signed a letter to HRW protesting the shoddiness of that 2008 report."

"Ken Roth, HRW's executive director," seemed to be very selective in making the claim that Venezuela, as well as Bolivia and Ecuador, all who have had left-leaning governments, as being "the most abusive" Latin America. Emersberger emphasized the absurdity of Roth's claim, when comparing HRW reports on Colombia, with an "estimated 257,089 people murdered by right-wing death squads" and "34 indigenous groups [being] pushed to near extinction, i.e., genocide."

Is Roth actually implying that Venezuela, under the Chavez government, has had the same death toll? If so, perhaps another rights group needs to monitor HRW's reports.

Emersberger contacted HRW, asking "if they now rank countries by 'abuse' levels" and to explain Roth's criteria. He didn't expect a response.

Emersberger also provided two links to www.venezuelanalysis.com, showing HRW's "underwhelming" response to criticisms, and had "bowed out of the debate after the devastating reply to its response." Emersberger then provided details is his article to refute HRW reports on Venezuela.

Sometimes, an outside influence can have an effect even on a human rights group where a tainted conclusion is drawn. It's happened when, e.g., a world power, with an ideology characterized by a monetary-first agenda, has the power to do so.

Human rights groups need to exist, and preferably be neutral. But, the current imbalance of forces worldwide can be an obstacle to achieving a near-perfect human rights record.

Hopefully, humankind will evolve and mature further, providing more chances to increase the level of human rights. History, however, doesn't move in a straight line. And it's apparent that HRW hasn't been straight with its reports on Venezuela.

© 2013 David Starr

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