At UN, Obama asks for freedom for Leopoldo Lopez imprisoned in Venezuela

[Bacchus4.0]

http://www.eluniversal.com/nacional-y-politica/140923/obama-pide-la-liberacion-de-leopoldo-lopez

Spanish, but self-explanatory

[Fantastic Anarchist]

1. No, it's not self-explanatory.

I don't read Spanish, and I used Google Translate and still have no clue.

Can you provide a quick synopsis? Much appreciated.

[Bacchus4.0]

2. Statement of President Obama (English)

From Russia to China to Venezuela, you are seeing relentless crackdowns, vilifying legitimate dissent as subversive. In places like Azerbaijan, laws make it incredibly difficult for NGOs even to operate. From Hungary to Egypt, endless regulations and overt intimidation increasingly target civil society. And around the world, brave men and women who dare raise their voices are harassed and attacked and even killed.

So today, we honor those who have given their lives. Among them, in Cameroon, Eric Lembembe; in Libya, Salwa Bugaighis; in Cambodia, Chut Wutty; in Russia, Natalia Estemirova. We stand in solidarity with those who are detained at this very moment. In Venezuela, Leopoldo Lopez; in Burundi, Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa; in Egypt, Ahmed Maher; in China, Liu Xiaobo; and now Ilham Tohti; in Vietnam, Father Ly. And so many others. They deserve to be free. They ought to be released.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/09/23/remarks-president-clinton-global-initiative

[Fantastic Anarchist]

3. Thank you!

[3rdwaydem]

4. I had such high hopes for Venezuela...

Unfortunately, the government's repression against those who dissent is unconscionable.

Thank you President Obama for addressing this issue!

[Bacchus4.0]

5. A steep decline over 15 years n/t