{"id":5233,"date":"2017-05-04T22:30:47","date_gmt":"2017-05-05T02:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/?p=5233"},"modified":"2017-05-04T22:30:47","modified_gmt":"2017-05-05T02:30:47","slug":"key-populations-most-affected-by-repression-and-violence-in-venezuela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/2017\/05\/key-populations-most-affected-by-repression-and-violence-in-venezuela\/","title":{"rendered":"Key populations most affected by repression and violence in Venezuela"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source:\u00a0corresponsalesclave.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Within the crisis context in the country, all people are abused; \u00a0every Venezuelan is a potential direct victim of power abuse by the organizations that should protect them.\u00a0 However, there are especially vulnerable groups due to their gender, age and sexual orientation; facing this situation several civil society organizations alert on this difference and provide support spaces.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

By:\u00a0Constanza Armas<\/strong><\/p>\n

The crisis situation in Venezuela is undeniable.\u00a0 For several years we have seen the unprecedented institutional, political, social and economic deterioration in the country, which has generated a significant increase in protests and several signs of discontent with the national government.\u00a0 In this sense, the Venezuelan Observatory of Social Conflicts (OVCS), in its report \u00a0year 2014<\/a>, registered between January and December that year at least 9286 protests, equivalent to 26 daily protests all over the country, with high political content and related to social rights.\u00a0 In year 2015<\/a>,\u00a0 5851 protests were registered; 82 percent on social rights; likewise, there are records of 287 looting or attempted looting situations.\u00a0 Although these organizations have not reported data from 2016 and 2017, it is known that the situation of protests and conflict in the streets of the main cities of the country still prevails.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The protests show the tiredness of Venezuelans by the scarcity.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n

In parallel to the records of protests carried out during these years, several human rights organizations have denounced the increase in repression and violence from the Government agencies: for instance, during the protests in the last weeks, there were at least 5 people killed by direct action of the National Bolivarian Guard, as well as hundreds of injured people.<\/p>\n

Within this context of institutional weakness and violence, of upsurge of street protests from people tired by scarcity, hunger and misery, in opposition to the government of Nicolas Maduro in the last weeks, we should focus on the differential effects on people based on their gender, age and sexual orientation, that arise both from political polarization and the increase of complaints and brutal repression.<\/p>\n

Differential effect of repression by Government security agencies <\/strong><\/p>\n

When there is repression by the Government agencies in front of citizen\u2019s protests, everyone is at risk.\u00a0 However, it should be taken into account that there are groups or populations at a higher risk compared to others.\u00a0 Some of this vulnerability factors are related to gender, age and sexual orientation.<\/p>\n

In this sense, \u00a0Jau Ram\u00edrez<\/strong>\u00a0activism coordinator of the Movimiento SOMOS<\/a>\u00a0told Corresponsales Clave that in Merida they are documenting a case on an arbitrary detention at the Sun Fairs.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cAt the fair parade there was a protest during the event that was repressed by the State Police (Poli Merida). \u00a0There were several detentions and kidnappings.\u00a0 One of the cases was about five boys that were taken in a police car and supposedly were beaten.\u00a0 The testimony from one of them is that there was a homosexual (\u2026), when the police noticed that he was gay they raged against him and he was beaten harder than the others; afterwards, they let them out of the car at an avenue in the city\u00a8, he said.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

In the last weeks, protests have intensified.<\/p><\/div>\n

In the same line of differential vulnerability, \u00a0Alejandra Sapene Chapell\u00edn<\/strong>\u00a0child and adolescent psychologist, member of the recent initiative \u00a0Madres venezolanas por la paz<\/a>\u00a0 (Venezuelan mothers for peace) and author of the blog \u00a0<\/em>el Bosque<\/a>, where she has been writing since 2014 about the influence of the political crisis on children, says \u2013emphasizing the gender perspective, that \u00a0\u201cwith adolescents, there is greater probability that the security forces detain or attack young boys more than women (\u2026) There have been situations with young women, but they even release them.\u00a0 Obviously there are political women prisoners, that is not under discussion, but in number, the risk seems to be higher for boys.\u00a0 As statistics show in Venezuela: to be a young boy in Venezuela is highly risky and there is a very high probability that you will be killed\u00a8. <\/em><\/p>\n

These observations are very interesting in the context of a conflict and threat climate from the Venezuelan government agencies, as this help us sharpen our gaze and to raise the voice on behalf of all people, and especially the most vulnerable ones.\u00a0 \u00a0Ram\u00edrez<\/strong>\u00a0correctly says, particularly on behalf of the LGBTI population:\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cregarding the crisis, it is evident that being a vulnerable group we are more impacted by \u00a0the effects of the economic, political and social crisis, first because the lack of guarantees expose us more and secondly because \u2013 as we have been told so- we are not a priority\u00a8. <\/em><\/p>\n

In addition, political polarization <\/strong><\/p>\n

At present in Venezuela, the response from civil society organizations is additionally affected by political polarization.\u00a0 In times like these, where people are out in the streets, facing the Venezuelan crisis, the discourses and disagreements between civil society organizations increase, as a result of the political polarization that has ruled in the country for several years.\u00a0 This has always been a problematic situation for the organizations that work in the human rights area, as the movements get divided and the focus of the complaints is lost as well as the joint work.<\/p>\n

In this sense, \u00a0Ram\u00edrez<\/strong>\u00a0says that \u00a0\u201cpolitical polarization has dramatically affected the capability of organization within the LGBTI community, which has been segmented by openly Chavista groups that have created separations and have impregnated the struggle with partisan political ideas. .\u00a0 This has promoted bias in other sectors\u00a8.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>In view of this scenario, social organizations take different strategies to continue their work and achieve their political objectives in defense of human rights.\u00a0 Regarding this, \u00a0Giovanni Piermattei<\/strong>, president of \u00a0Venezuela Igualitaria<\/a>, says that his organization \u00a0\u201ctries to stay on the sidelines, focusing on the specific action of equal rights for the LGBTI population, because in this climate, regardless the position that we take we are attacked: if we speak of peace and dialogue, we are \u00a8chavistas\u00a8, and if we speak about repression and lack of congruence of the government, we are opposition\u00a8. <\/em><\/p>\n

Keeping our eyes on the objectives gives us \u00a0some clarity to keep the focus on the political responsibilities that each organization represents, in front of a reality that seems to be a minefield.\u00a0 Thus, civil society remains on the ground and looks to the future through the sustained work that it is performing and the reflections derived thereof.<\/p>\n

An example of this last point is shown in the work of \u00a0Sapene<\/strong>\u00a0on the effects of political violence on boys and girls, where it is \u00a0\u201cshowing the issue of citizenship, the importance of educating democratic individuals.\u00a0 We have the responsibility to show them that the reality is not normal, that what is happening are situations of political violence, we can talk to adolescents with crystal clear words, and we can tell the little ones that some people are not fulfilling their role, some people that should be protecting us are not doing so (\u2026) We have to make children ask themselves: what do you think about what is happening? Do you think this should be this way? Shouldn\u00b4t it be like this?, how should things be? Look how things are in other countries. Just to encourage that critical view\u00a8. <\/em><\/p>\n

This perspective is very interesting as it invites us not only to care for vulnerable populations and make them visible within a complex climate of repression and conflict, but also to empower them, from a critical look at reality, asking ourselves some questions.\u00a0 As \u00a0Sapene<\/strong>\u00a0 says \u201cThis may contribute to educate people with a more inclusive view of diversity and to strengthen democracy.\u00a0 I hope that this will contribute to strengthen a more inclusive view, because within an environment where \u00a8if you are not with me you are against me\u00a8, you get a very rigid view at reality\u00a8.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Some civil society initiatives <\/strong><\/p>\n

In crisis situations, Venezuelan social organizations grow to provide support to the population and to mitigate repression effects.\u00a0 Since several weeks ago, groups of Venezuelans have made calls in different cities of the world to collect and send medical inputs for people injured at the protests.\u00a0 Likewise, there is a significant number of organizations supporting the general population and especially the most vulnerable groups. Some of them are:<\/p>\n

Movimiento SOMOS:<\/strong>\u00a0movement of activists in favor of the visibility, vindication, development and justice of the Meridena sex diversity, that due to power abuse situations from the Government institutions to the LGBTI population, receives complaints, follows them up and activates action networks.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Venezuela Igualitaria (Egalitarian Venezuela) :<\/strong>\u00a0Works for Equal Civil Marriage in Venezuela.\u00a0 It is an organization with venues in several Venezuelan states, and their core target is the promotion of rights for the LGBTI population.<\/p>\n

Acci\u00f3n Solidaria:<\/a>\u00a0(Solidarity Action) its mission is to contribute to reducing the social impact of the HIV\/AIDS epidemic in Venezuela and other Spanish-speaking countries.\u00a0 Currently they host the collection center for medicines and inputs and they receive allegations of human rights violations from people who live with HIV.<\/p>\n

Psic\u00f3logos sin fronteras<\/a>: (Psychologists without Borders) they provide psychosocial assistance to people affected by the crisis and bereavement.
\nAt present they provide free psychological support and launch campaigns to collect food and medicines.<\/p>\n

Venezuelan mothers for peace:<\/strong>\u00a0 network of women and mothers who share clear, reliable and relevant information regarding the strategies to manage the social political crisis of Venezuela with children and adolescents; they promote the emotional well-being of children, adolescents and their families, encouraging democratic behavior and solidarity among the Venezuelan families.\u00a0 This network includes: \u00a0Fundaci\u00f3n Afecto Venezuela<\/a>.\u00a0Espacio Emocional<\/a>\u00a0(psychologist \u00a0Alicia Nu\u00f1ez). Foundation \u00a0Mis Chiquiticos<\/a>,\u00a0Psicochamos<\/a>\u00a0(psychologist \u00a0Melissa Rosales),\u00a0Cecodap<\/a>,\u00a0@psicologiaparami<\/a>\u00a0(psychologist \u00a0Joana Alenso.).\u00a0Agobios de madre<\/a>\u00a0(Carla Candia Casado).\u00a0Psic\u00f3logos por el Mundo<\/a>. Psychologist \u00a0Alejandra Sapene<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As we said at the beginning: Looking at the crisis experienced by the country, everyone is abused.\u00a0 However, there are groups that are especially vulnerable.\u00a0 The invitation is to look at them, to make them visible,\u00a0 to provide concrete and well thought responses, to build networks, so that in the future we will be able to build a more inclusive and democratic Venezuela.<\/p>\n

All the articles may be shared and published as long as the source data is quoted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Source:\u00a0corresponsalesclave.org Within the crisis context in the country, all people are abused; \u00a0every Venezuelan is a potential direct victim of power abuse by the organizations that should protect them.\u00a0 However, there are especially vulnerable groups due to their gender, age and sexual orientation; facing this situation several civil society organizations alert on this difference and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[66,74],"tags":[],"anho":[],"autor":[],"publicado_por":[],"palabras_clave":[],"class_list":["post-5233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-about-response-aids-tb-malaria","category-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5233"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5233\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5233"},{"taxonomy":"anho","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/anho?post=5233"},{"taxonomy":"autor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/autor?post=5233"},{"taxonomy":"publicado_por","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publicado_por?post=5233"},{"taxonomy":"palabras_clave","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plataformalac.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/palabras_clave?post=5233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}