A Human Rights Watch representative says his expulsion from Venezuela
following a critical report shows that President Hugo Chavez will not
tolerate any criticism.
HRW's Director for the Americas Jose
Miguel Vivanco spoke to reporters Friday in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Vivanco
and his deputy were kicked out of the country Thursday after their
group released a report saying Venezuela's human rights policies have
suffered under President Chavez.
Venezuela's Foreign Ministry
accused HRW of attacking the country's democratic institutions and
illegally interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs.
The HRW
report accused the Chavez government of discriminating against
political opponents, undermining freedoms of expression and association
and disregarding the need for an independent judiciary. It also said
the government was trying to restrict the work of Venezuelan rights
advocates.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
