1. As a result of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s (hereinafter Venezuela) third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2022, the country received 328 recommendations. Of the total number of recommendations, the State accepted 221, and 107 were noted.
2. In the third cycle of the UPR, United States of America recommended that the government immediately end all undue interference with the freedoms of expression, religion, association, and peaceful assembly, and allow independent media, religious institutions, civil society organizations, and humanitarian organizations to operate without undue restrictions or threats (31.176). The Venezuelan government did not support this recommendation and instead noted it.
3. Several governments issued recommendations addressing key concerns related to the regulatory framework governing civil society organizations, the protection of fundamental freedoms, non-discrimination in access to social protection programmes, and the promotion of a safe and enabling environment for journalists, human rights defenders, and political actors. These recommendations called for aligning domestic laws and practices with international human rights standards, ensuring equal access to public services, and strengthening safeguards against intimidation, restrictions, and attacks (Ireland, 31.114; Mexico, 31.205; Bahamas, 31.266; Slovakia, 31.169; Republic of Korea, 31.213).
4. Several governments issued recommendations calling on the State to facilitate genuine and inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders and to promote national reconciliation, including at the local level, as well as to undertake independent, thorough, and prompt investigations into all cases of human rights violations, particularly serious abuses such as extrajudicial killings and attacks against journalists and human rights defenders, and to ensure accountability for perpetrators. These recommendations were put forward by Denmark (31.119); Austria (31.124); Poland (31.116); Georgia (31.120); Argentina (31.121); Croatia (31.122); Ukraine (31.123); Belgium (31.125); Mexico (31.126); Finland (31.127); Ecuador (31.136); the Plurinational State of Bolivia (31.146); Australia (31.154); the Holy See (31.155); Germany (31.161); and Italy (31.197).
5. Other countries recommended that the State provide an enabling democratic environment for the activities of political opposition, journalists, and human rights defenders; create a safe and non-discriminatory environment for the press, civil society, and humanitarian organizations; and ensure the safety of individuals working in these areas (Luxembourg, 31.81; Ukraine, 31.175; Estonia, 31.192; Latvia, 31.200).
6. Several States also recommended that the country take measures to
promote and protect the right to peaceful assembly, as well as related freedoms such as freedom of expression, opinion, and media freedom, and to ensure the safety of journalists and individuals participating in peaceful demonstrations. These recommendations further called on the State to respect democratic rights, refrain from the use of excessive force against peaceful protestors, and adopt legal and administrative measures to guarantee the effective enjoyment of fundamental rights, in accordance with constitutional and international human rights standards (Latvia, 31.199; Lithuania, 31.203; Malta, 31.204; New Zealand, 31.208; Poland, 31.211; the Republic of Korea, 31.232; Romania, 31.235).
7. States also recommended ensuring a free environment that enables the work of civil society organizations and adopting a policy for the protection of human rights defenders. Establish a free and enabling environment for the work of civil society organizations and ensure that human rights defenders and civic activists are not persecuted, harassed, or publicly stigmatized (Côte d’Ivoire, 31.186; Czechia, 31.189).
8. In light of the above recommendations, the submitting organizations observe a clear interconnection between the protection of civic space and the effective enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief. Although only the United States of America explicitly referred to freedom of religion, the recommendations issued by other States concerning freedom of association, freedom of expression, the safety of journalists and human rights defenders, the prevention of human rights abuses, and the need to ensure accountability collectively address the structural conditions required for religious communities to operate freely and safely. Without guarantees for these fundamental freedoms and protections, religious actors (including faith leaders, humanitarian organizations, and places of worship) remain exposed to risks of intimidation, discrimination, and restrictions on their activities.
9. In this regard, we consider that the UPR should take into account the situation of religious communities under the lens of a broader human rights context. This is particularly relevant in the current political scenario, following reports of a United States military operation in January 2026 that resulted in the removal of then-President Nicolás Maduro from power, while the ruling party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), continues to exercise control over key State institutions. This change has not necessarily resulted in a full political transition, and governance structures and power networks remain largely intact, creating uncertainty regarding the sustainability of reforms and the protection of fundamental rights. For these reasons, sustained monitoring of civil and political rights, including the protection of freedom of religion or belief, remains essential in assessing the State’s compliance with its international human rights obligations.