HRC63 - NB8 Statement - ID with the Independent International FFM on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Human Rights Council 63rd Session  
Item 4 - Interactive dialogue with the independent international fact-finding mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Statement delivered by Norway on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries
18 September 2026

President,

The Nordic-Baltic States thank the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela for the update and reiterate our full support for its important work.

Despite recent political developments, we remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Venezuela. Years of dismantling of democratic institutions, economic collapse, and humanitarian hardship have left millions in a situation of severe vulnerability. Both this situation and the developments following the devastating earthquakes in June underscore the importance of a humanitarian response firmly grounded in human rights.

Lack of judicial independence continues to be a fundamental challenge in Venezuela. While we welcome the adoption of a general amnesty law and the release of a number of political prisoners, we reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons arbitrarily detained, including those deprived of their liberty for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

We call on Venezuela to uphold its international human rights obligations, implement systemic reforms of the judicial system and advance investigations into human rights violations to ensure accountability.

We further urge the Government to fully cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms, including granting full, safe and independent access throughout the country to the Fact-Finding Mission, and facilitate the UN-led humanitarian response.

Thank you.