HRC62 - NB8 Statement - ID on High Commissioner report on Venezuela

Human Rights Council - 62nd session 
Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner report on Venezuela
Statement delivered by Estonia on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States
26 June 2026

Mr Vice-President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.

We express our full solidarity with regard to the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.

We thank the High Commissioner for this update and reiterate our strong support for the work of your Office.

The findings presented today continue to paint a deeply concerning picture of the human rights situation in Venezuela. Despite some recent developments, we note with serious concern that the underlying structures enabling systematic human rights violations remain largely intact. These persistent shortcomings continue to undermine public trust in institutions and hinder prospects for democratic recovery and national reconciliation.

Meaningful progress will require comprehensive, verifiable and irreversible reforms, including the restoration of judicial independence and due process guarantees. Such reforms are essential to ensure the effective protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to strengthen the rule of law. Independent judicial and prosecutorial institutions will also be critical to addressing organised crime and other challenges facing the country.

We remain concerned by the absence of credible accountability measures for past and ongoing violations. It is vital that the Venezuelan authorities take meaningful steps to end impunity and as a State Party to the International Criminal Court fully cooperate with the Office of the Prosecutor.

High Commissioner, could you elaborate on the extent to which the Venezuelan authorities are currently cooperating with regard to UN human rights mechanisms?

I thank you.