Poverty and Unemployment Down significantly in Venezuela in 2005

[Say_What]

<clips>

Caracas, Venezuela, October 14, 2005—Venezuela’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) says that poverty will drop by 8% points by the end of 2005, relative to the previous year. Similarly, unemployment dropped 0.6% points, from 12.1% in August, to 11.5% in September of this year.

INE director Elias Eljuri made the announcement yesterday, saying that Venezuela’s poverty rate is expected to drop to 35% by the end of the year, down from 47% for 2004. during the first half of 2005 poverty was calculated to be at 38.5%. Also, critical poverty, the level at which people cannot afford to cover their basic needs, dropped to 10.1% in the first half of 2005, down from 18% the previous year.

According to Eljuri, this means that poverty has now dropped to a level below what it was before Chavez came into office, in 1999, when the INE registered the poverty rate to be at 42%.

Unemployment also dropped significantly, reported the INE, from 14.5% in September 2004, to 11.5% in September 2005.

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1785

[EVDebs]

1. Buy CITGO gas ! It's Hugo's oil from Venezuela and cheaper. Thanks guy !

[I Have A Dream]

12. I've been trying to do this where I can. Hess gas is the only...

other gas that I feel good about buying.

[Metta]

2. No wonder Bush wants him dead.

I'll bet is galls Bush to see all the good Chavez is doing and know that his efforts to turn his people against him have failed.

[wiley]

3. Is this at the expense of the truly wealthy or the middle class?

Expect a Cuba style taking of money and property in the name of the people. His human rights record is still really fvcked up. Maybe if he takes it slow it will help people. I don't know.

[Frances]

7. My guess is that the truly wealthy and the middle class

have also benefitted from the present stability of the country. I think that Chavez has used the higher oil prices to help the poor, but I don't think he has made any changes in the benefits that the middle and upper classes have.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Why don't you provide some specifics on his dreadful human rights record?

I'm sure DU'er would like to know more about this.

[wiley]

18. Characterization of Torture in Venezuela

Characterization of Torture in Venezuela
http://tinyurl.com/7b6hl

During the past five years of work, 189 patients were evaluated through individual interviews, in which information was gathered about the conditions of their detention, the type of torture or maltreatment inflicted, and the branch of the armed or police forces involved. A Clinical History was also conducted, along with physical and psychological exams, making an average of four consultations per patient. This study allowed members of the Network to accurately describe torture in Venezuela and to develop an intervention strategy and treatment model responsive to the Venezuelan reality.

The results revealed that the population most frequently affected is male (73.0%), between the ages of 15 and 24 years (39.6%) or between 25 and 34 years (24.8%). As regards occupation, 25.3% are students, 18.5% are farmers, and 18.5% persons who do odd jobs. The majority of the patients come from the Federal District (43.3%), followed by Miranda state (13.7%) and Apure state (11.6%).

Of the 189 persons evaluated, all had been maltreated physically and/or psychologically by various State Security Bodies. In the sample studied, the State Police (21.7%), the Metropolitan Police (21.2%) and the Officers of Court (Policía Técnica Judicial: 18.0%) registered the highest percentages.

With regard to the methods of torture utilized the study found: punches and/or kicks (80.9%), threats of death and/or torture to the victim or a family member (48.1%), verbal aggression (34.9%) and handcuffs (28.0%) in highest proportion; nevertheless there have also been cases in which the head was covered with plastic bags, burns from electrical shocks, etc.

The physical consequences most frequently encountered include: osteomuscular disorders (69.8%), skin and connective tissue disorders (49.2%) and nervous system disorders (23.8%). The psychological consequences revealed altered sleep habits (51.8%), moderate or severe depression (33.3%) and anxiety disorders (28.4%).

more...

[Judi Lynn]

21. There's some very sneaky propaganda going on in your "proof"

Your article claims:

In Venezuela, in spite of a history of more than 40 years of uninterrupted democracy, torture and maltreatment are alarming real problems. Torture currently constitutes a form of institutionalized violence, because it is members of the State's security agencies, both the armed forces and police, who practice these abuses, taking advantage of the power that they have and the impunity they enjoy. Generally torture is used to obtain confessions of guilt from presumed criminals or to obtain information from persons who are a "threat" to State security. Another aim of torture is punishment, used indiscriminately against members of low-income groups such as informal workers, homeless persons or street children.
(snip/...)

Anyone who knows a tiny bit about recent Venezuelan history sees this is wildly crafted, with little respect for the truth, relying on our own lack of knowledge about what has happened to provide a fertile will to believe anything we read.

That's how propagandists like Otto Reich in the Office of Public Diplomacy, and his heirs have prospered.

The mayor who was running Caracas at the time your article was written was a mortal enemy of Hugo Chavez, and he controlled the city. He was the one who shut down a local independent tv station when they tried to broadcast news surrounding the kidnapping of Hugo Chavez. I would assume whatever has happened in Caracas is his responsibility, and happened WITHOUT the approval of Hugo Chavez, a man he despises.

I only had a moment to start trying to find out more about the organization which published your report, only had a couple of minutes. If I get a block of time I'll find out more.

Right now, I looked up the first name, Clarenc J. Dias:
http://www.hri.ca/about/staff/index.asp?staffType=board

Here's what he appears to do for a living:

International Center For Law In Development

Ms. Clarence Dias

Address: 777 UNITED NATIONS PLZ STE 7E , NEW YORK, NY 10017-3521

Phone: [phone] Fax:

Trades associations can help you stay up to date with technology, training and the future of your industry. They lobby for your industry rights and can provide ways for you to reduce your operating costs by being part of a larger buying pool.

Most trades associations like International Center For Law In Development can keep members informed with either a newsletter or trade magazine about your industry issues and business matters, employment, trends and what the impact on pending legislation and what would be on the operation might be. Some associations offer their members free legal advice and can assist members with general aspects of employment.

Associations like International Center For Law In Development can be good opportunities for networking with others in your industry and to be able to keep up to date with your industry financial developments such as sales trends, market pricing, domestic and foreign competition, etc. They can allow you to communicate with other members that have similar interests so that you can get advice, ideas and support. They also are great for making your collective voice be heard by having a lobby in State and Federal government.
(snip/...)

http://www.businessfinance.com/trade_stats.asp?ID=7389

I belive it appears he's a business lobbying kinda guy, undoubtedly involved with the Venezuelan oligarcy, and U.S. funding.

Here's the Human Rights Tribune:

The Human Rights Tribune publishes fair and balanced news reports as well as provides the platform for Quarterly reports of HRCBM. It also includes independent investigative and news reports of human rights abuses against the people of Bangladesh in general and minorities in particular. The newspaper wants to create a new era in the field of journalism depicting the plights of the destitute and their plea for justice.
(snip)

http://www.hrtribune.com/

I really wish I had some time to get in there a find out who the funding organizations are. It's easy to see this should be interesting for someone who actually has some time on his/her hands.
You're really determined we're going to accept your anti-Chavez crap, and you probably can see the writing's on the wall, as a lot of DU'ers are very interested in US/Latin American policy and history.

[wiley]

23. "anti-Chavez crap" ?

First off, I make no apologies or excuses for US human rights abuses. If someone states the facts about Chavez they are pro-US human rights abuses and anti-Chavez?


"as a lot of DU'ers are very interested in US/Latin policy and history"

The writing on the wall? Get a grip. I'll debate and discuss any subject with anyone on DU. I really don't care if "a lot" of them disagree with me. They may be right.

"Anyone who knows a tiny bit about recent Venezuelan history sees this is wildly crafted, with little respect for the truth, relying on our own lack of knowledge about what has happened to provide a fertile will to believe anything we read.
That's how propagandists like Otto Reich in the Office of Public Diplomacy, and his heirs have prospered."

I'm left speechless by your hyperbolic stupidity and the viciousness of your attack.

[1932]

24. "hyperbolic stupidity"? "viciousness of attack"

I think those pro-oligarchy groups are big enough to withstand Judi Lynn's attack.

And what's stupid about doing research and making sensible arguments?

[mbperrin]

31. Ummm...this report is dated 2000, goes back to start in 1995.

Since Chavez was elected in 1998, this is about the REGIME HE REPLACED, right?

[1932]

33. Ouch for wiley. Good catch, mbperrin.

IIUC, it wasn't until 2000 that the new constiution was passed and the new government was elected according to that constitution.

Chavez put himself up for reelection in 2000 even though the constitution didn't require it -- which was the third time he was elected in two years. IIUC, he was elected in 1998, stated that he was going to dissolve the government in order to form a constituent assembly which would draft the new constitution. In that second election, he was reelected, and then, once the new constitution was passed, he put himself up for election and was elected for the third time in two years.

So, Venezuela wasn't even operating in its modern, current form, under the new constitution (with its new rights, duties, obligations, etc.) until 2000.

Incidentally, Chavez was elected in response to human rights abuses that happened in the '90s, like the Caracazao (I'm not sure I spelled that right). In Caracas, there were protests in response to neoliberal policies (including, raising bus fares in order to pay off IMF debt). The secret police murdered thousands of protestors. So that would be quite a thing to blame Chavez for the sorts of activities to which his election was a response!

[Judi Lynn]

34. 1932, you're right. There's no human rights abuse like the President

of Venezuela, Carlos Andres Perez's, who was later impeached for massive corruption, instruction to his military to shoot into the crowd of protesting poor people of Venezuela after he sharply increased the cost of their only form of transportation, the buses in one of his bright ideas to raise revenue. Piled it on the poor. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Travel by bus was the only way they had to get around, and it was suddenly almost entirely beyond their reach. They protested, he had his men shoot into the crowds in the event named "El Caracazo."

He was impeached. He was imprisoned. He was later kept in house arrest. He's free now, and he remains a friend of the _Bush family, the same creatures who support Cuban terrorists. He offers his two dirty cents worth every chance he gets, by calling for the murder of Hugo Chavez. This man should be in prison himself, but he is free to travel anywhere he wants, and is valued highly by the same oligarchy which has joined forces with the right-wing Cuban reactionary extremist "exile" citizens in Miami, and the Republican right-wing.

Really enjoyed reading your and mbperrin's comments. Very illuminating!

I'm sure you've probably seen these photos, but here are some taken by someone who had the chance to get out there and grab some pictures of a part of the massacre in Caracas, "El Caracazo:"
http://abn.info.ve/galeria/show.php?carpeta=El%20Caracazo.%20Fotos%20Frasso.%201989

(Click on the thumbnails to enlarge. They don't transfer through links to a post, for some reason.)

[1932]

42. After posting that, I checked out Wikipedia's venezuela/chavez entries

for the first time.

They were interesting.

One thing I learned is that Chavez wasn't sworn in until February 1999. They spent most of 1999 on the election of the consitutional assembly and then drafting the new constitution which was passed in a national referendum in December 1999. So, 2000 (when Chavez was elected to his first 6 year term under the new constitution) is the real beginning of the new venezuela.

Other things which I picked up (but want to read about in more detail -- I think I'll read Richard Gott's histories of Venezuela):

Venezuela has had some progressive governments. Their first president in the 40's was a progressive, but lasted 10 months before he was ousted in a coup. It seems like they got back on track by the time Cardenas was elected (and I believe his predecessor, IIRC, Luschini was one of the few supporters of Omar Torrijos in Panama). Cardenas was an author and academic. He was president twice -- the second time he got elected after Chavez's coup on an anti-Perez reform platform (at age 82) that was basically the same one that Chavez got elected on in 98. He was the person who pardoned Chavez. And, guess what, he's Chavez's godfather. Chavez's father was a school teacher in a rural town (and I presume that they knew each other in college or through academics). Cardena was an academic for most of his early life.

Wikipedia said that Chavez's fathere emtered politics late in life and is governor of his home state now and a member of a conservative Social Christian Party or Christian Democratic Party, or something like that. In the Aleida Guevarra book, I thought Chavez said that his father was one of only a few people from hsi party who were successful in his party's first elections (which was his father's first race). I understand MVR is a coalition party of disparate groups. So, I'm not clear about these facts.

Also get this: Perez, apparently, was first elected as an anti-imperialist. He was the one who privatized the oil and steel industries. But he became corrupted after concentrating so much power in the hands of the state (and in that sense reminds me of Batista whose hero was FDR but who used his power to protect wealth). Parez signed on to the IMF Washington Consensus development program and saddled his country with unsupportable debt of IIRC 4.5 billion dollars (the collateral for which was probably supposed to be control of the oil industry). The matter that resulted in him losing his presidency (in addition to disruptions caused by neoliberal policies and the resulting attempted coups) was the mishandling of 17 million dollars meant to help Violetta Chamora in Nicarauga. Weird huh?

In any event, that's the Wikipedia version of the story and it has definitely encouraged me to move the Gott books on Venezuela higher up in my "to read" pile of books.

[Judi Lynn]

45. Thanks for the historical reference. It's good to know who nationalized

the oil. People who refuse to pick up a book or newspaper, who will not take the time to do research end up thinking whatever they are told to think. Undoubtedly a lot of them think Hugo Chavez did it, himself. Funny, isn't it to learn it was the man who went ape and tried to run off with a lot of Venezuela's money himself, only to be caught, impeached, still remain an American right-wing darling, and call for Hugo Chavez's murder from the bosom of the Venezuelan oligarchy which adores him.

Here's a photo of the man who ordered his troops to shoot into crowds of protesting Venezuelans, who raised the cost of their only transportation to a point they could barely afford to get to work and the store on the buses, and who was impeached for corruption, while remaining dear to the American and Venezuelan right-wingers:





And the Veneuzuelan opposition dares to ridicule the appearance, mannerisms, dialect of Hugo Chavez, calling him a "monkey" on national tv, and far worse. He's not, according to them, nearly as handsome as they are as he's not European descended.

[CAcyclist]

57. Thank you for your comments

I was suspicious of Wiley's claims, too. thanks for the info.

[RedRocco]

40. hmmm

"With regard to the methods of torture utilized the study found: punches and/or kicks (80.9%), threats of death and/or torture to the victim or a family member (48.1%), verbal aggression (34.9%) and handcuffs (28.0%)"

sounds like the last time I got busted for simple possession of marijuana

[happydreams]

49. Fear of a good example. Hugo is Bush's greatest fear.

[Realityhack]

51. I hate to be so ignorant...

but was Chavez in charge of any of this in 1995?

Generaly reliable sorces show he has done quite a bit for the poor in his country and there have been a lot of situations where he has shown quite a bit of restraint in dealing with political rivals.

[1932]

53. He was first sworn in in February of 1999. The new constitution became

law in December 1999. His first 6 year term under the new constitution started in 2000.

[Realityhack]

55. Thanks... guess that means that particular artical...

is completely Fing irrelivent.

How completely typical of certain anti-chavez propogandists. Not to say that poster is but it shure looks like either he drank the cool-aid or he knows he is lying.

Chavez may not be a saint but blaming him for things done before he was in office is pritty retarded.

[Realityhack]

52. verbal aggression (34.9%) and handcuffs (28.0%)??

Handcuffs and verbal agression = torture?

Look I agree with the punches and kicks being torture etc... but I have to question the validity of a group that calls handcuffs torture.

Especialy in light of the very powerful media influence and propigandizing that his oponents have done.
Sorry but that study smells a bit.

[Judi Lynn]

10. How much of the Venezuelan "middle class" would you say is affected?

Many DU'ers have been living with the impression Venzuela has been controlled by a very tiny oligarchy, and that the majority of Venezuelans have been living well below poverty levels.

Maybe we're wrong.

[0007]

15. I think you're right when you say, "you don't know" And please

tell me more about his fucked up human rights record". Do you have a link?

[wiley]

16. Here's five. Need more?

http://tinyurl.com/cbh7f
Amnesty International Report 2005
"Political polarization continued to destabilize Venezuela. There were violent confrontations between supporters of the opposition and the security forces throughout the country. Scores of people were killed and injured. Hundreds more were detained amid allegations of excessive use of force and torture and ill-treatment. There were reports of unlawful killings of criminal suspects. Relatives and those who witnessed abuses were threatened and intimidated. The lack of independence of the judiciary remained a concern. Attempts were made to undermine the legitimacy of the work of human rights defenders."

http://tinyurl.com/b8gm5
"Violence and discrimination against women, abuse of children, discrimination against the disabled, and inadequate protection of the rights of indigenous people continue to be problems. Concern over labor rights increased, and on December 3, voters approved a referendum to "overhaul" union leadership. Child labor persisted, and there were reports of trafficking in children for forced labor. Killings due to vigilante justice increased significantly."


http://tinyurl.com/8ptkc

http://tinyurl.com/7odrn
Youths in Venezuela Slums Learn to Monitor Human Rights
Understanding rights is first step toward protecting rights

Caracas, Venezuela—Until a short time ago, Saul thought that when the police harassed him verbally and physically, they were just doing their job. Glennys believed that her friends quit school just because they were lazy. Freddy believed that if someone was fired from his job without cause there was nothing to be done about it.

Now they, along with 10 other Venezuelan youth, know that these situations aren’t normal. Since March 2003, these young people from three poor neighbourhoods in Caracas have learned that a Universal Declaration of Human Rights protects them from the abuse that they used to consider an inevitable part of their daily lives.




http://tinyurl.com/c2dap
"Yesterday, a court in Caracas ordered that María Corina Machado and Alejandro Plaz be tried on treason charges brought by a public prosecutor because their nongovernmental organization, Súmate, accepted foreign funds for a program that encouraged citizen participation in a referendum on President Hugo Chavez’s presidency in 2004. Two other Súmate leaders, Luis Enrique Palacios and Ricardo Estévez, will also be tried on charges of complicity with this alleged crime. " 
 
“The court has given the government a green light to persecute its opponents,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “Prosecuting people for treason when they engage in legitimate electoral activities is utterly absurd.”  

[Judi Lynn]

22. Here are two pages of many.....

<1> Showing results 1 - 31 out of 1333
06/10/2005 USA: Senate motion against cruel and degrading treatment (NEWS)
AMR 51/161/2005
03/10/2005 USA/Egypt: Further Information on: Fear of torture/ill-treatment/Health concern: Sami al-Laithi (m) (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/159/2005
28/09/2005 USA (Indiana): Further information on: Death Penalty: Alan Lehman Matheney (m), white (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/158/2005
27/09/2005 USA: Amnesty International calls for independent inquiry into shooting of Filiberto Ojedo Ríos (NEWS)
AMR 51/157/2005
26/09/2005 USA (Alabama): Further Information: Death Penalty: John W. Peoples Jr, white (m) (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/156/2005
23/09/2005 USA: Guantánamo hunger strikers critically ill (NEWS)
AMR 51/154/2005
22/09/2005 USA: Stonewalled : Police abuse and misconduct against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the U.S. (REPORTS)
AMR 51/122/2005
22/09/2005 USA (California): Transgender woman ill-treated and raped in jail (REPORTS)
AMR 51/142/2005
22/09/2005 USA: Police mistreatment and abuse widespread in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities nationwide (NEWS)
AMR 51/150/2005
21/09/2005 USA: Who are the Guantánamo Detainees? Case Sheet 12. Ethiopian national/UK resident: Benyam Mohammed al Habashi. (REPORTS)
AMR 51/152/2005
20/09/2005 Benin: Government must repudiate illegal impunity agreement with the USA (NEWS)
AFR 14/001/2005
16/09/2005 USA (Alabama): Death Penalty: John W. Peoples Jr, white (m) (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/148/2005
16/09/2005 USA (Indiana): Death Penalty: Alan Lehman Matheney (m), white (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/149/2005
15/09/2005 USA (Texas): Further information on: Death Penalty/ Legal concern: Frances Elaine Newton (f), black (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/147/2005
13/09/2005 USA: Further information on: Incommunicado detention/detention without charge/legal concern/fear of torture/ill-treatment: Jose Padilla (also known as Abdullah al-Mujahir) (m) (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/145/2005
09/09/2005 USA (Ohio): Further information on: Death Penalty, John Spirko (m) (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/144/2005
07/09/2005 USA: Fear of torture/ill-treatment/Health concern. Sami al-Laithi (m) (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/141/2005
06/09/2005 USA: Ensure the safety of victims of Hurricane Katrina (NEWS)
AMR 51/140/2005
05/09/2005 USA: Further information on Prisoner of conscience, Kevin Benderman (m) (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/137/2005
31/08/2005 USA: Further Information on: Legal concern / health concern / torture (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/136/2005
30/08/2005 USA (Indiana): Further information on: Death Penalty, Arthur P Baird II (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/135/2005
24/08/2005 USA (Ohio): Death Penalty: John Spirko (m) (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/133/2005
23/08/2005 USA (Texas): Death Penalty/ Legal concern, Frances Elaine Newton (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/132/2005
18/08/2005 Germany: Hamburg court violates international law by admitting evidence potentially obtained through torture (NEWS)
EUR 23/001/2005
16/08/2005 USA: Further information on: Legal concern/health concern/torture: Unknown number of Guantánamo detainees (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/131/2005
16/08/2005 USA: Who are the Guantanamo detainees: Case sheet 11: Bahraini national: Jumah al-Dossari (REPORTS)
AMR 51/129/2005
15/08/2005 USA (Indiana): Death Penalty, Arthur P Baird II (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/128/2005
11/08/2005 USA: Further information on: Incommunicado detention/detention without charge/legal concern, Ali-Saleh Kahlah al-Marri (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/124/2005
09/08/2005 USA: Prisoner of conscience, Kevin Benderman (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/123/2005
05/08/2005 USA: Guantánamo detainees must not be returned to more abuse (NEWS)
AMR 51/121/2005
<2> Showing results 31 - 61 out of 1333
05/08/2005 USA: Further information on: Fear of forcible return to torture or ill-treatment: An unknown number of Guantánamo detainees (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/120/2005
04/08/2005 USA: Torture and secret detention: Testimony of the 'disappeared' in the 'war on terror' (REPORTS)
AMR 51/108/2005
04/08/2005 USA/ Jordan/ Yemen: Secret detention centres (NEWS)
AMR 51/112/2005
04/08/2005 USA: Torture and secret detention - Testimony of the 'disappeared' in the 'war on terror'. Action Sheet 1 - US Authorities (REPORTS)
AMR 51/117/2005
04/08/2005 Jordan: Why the US impunity agreement is illegal (NEWS)
MDE 16/006/2005
01/08/2005 Egypt: Testimony of the 'disappeared' in the 'war on terror'. Action Sheet 4 - Egyptian Authorities (REPORTS)
MDE 12/029/2005
01/08/2005 Yemen: Testimony of the 'disappeared' in the 'war on terror'. Action sheet 3 - Yemeni Authorities (REPORTS)
MDE 31/011/2005
01/08/2005 The Wire, August 2005. Vol. 35, No.7. (REPORTS)
NWS 21/007/2005
01/08/2005 Cruel. Inhuman. Degrades us all. Stop torture and Ill-treatment in the 'War on terror' (REPORTS)
ACT 40/010/2005
29/07/2005 Jordan: Amnesty International urges the Senate to reject the agreement giving United States nationals impunity from the International Criminal Court (NEWS)
MDE 16/005/2005
29/07/2005 USA (Texas): Further information on Death Penalty: David Martinez (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/118/2005
22/07/2005 USA (Texas): Death Penalty: David Martinez (m), Hispanic, aged 29 (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/115/2005
21/07/2005 USA: Military commissions should not be resumed (NEWS)
AMR 51/113/2005
21/07/2005 USA: Legal concern/health concern/torture: Unknown number of Guantánamo detainees (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/114/2005
05/07/2005 Pakistan/USA: Further information on: Incommunicado detention / Fear of "disappearance" / Fear of torture or ill-treatment / Fear of forcible transfer (URGENT ACTIONS)
ASA 33/018/2005
01/07/2005 USA: Who are the Guantánamo detainees? Case sheet 10: Chadian national: Mohamed C (REPORTS)
AMR 51/110/2005
28/06/2005 USA (Alabama): Death Penalty/Legal concern, Anthony Ray Hinton (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/105/2005
24/06/2005 USA: UN scrutiny essential in preventing torture and ill-treatment (NEWS)
AMR 51/104/2005
22/06/2005 The G8: global arms exporters: Failing to prevent irresponsible arms transfers (REPORTS)
POL 30/007/2005
22/06/2005 USA: Close Guantánamo and disclose the rest Opinion piece by Irene Khan, Amnesty International Secretary General (NEWS)
AMR 51/101/2005
22/06/2005 USA: Close Guantánamo and disclose the rest (REPORTS)
AMR 51/100/2005
17/06/2005 USA: Reaction to plans to expand Guantánamo camp (NEWS)
AMR 51/099/2005
17/06/2005 USA: Reaction to plans to expand Guantánamo camp (NEWS)
AMR 51/099/2005
15/06/2005 Nepal: Military assistance contributing to grave human rights violations (REPORTS)
ASA 31/047/2005
14/06/2005 USA: Torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment/Legal concern, Mohammed C. (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/097/2005
14/06/2005 USA: In defense of Amnesty International (REPORTS)
AMR 51/096/2005
08/06/2005 USA: Statement by Irene Khan, Amnesty International Secretary General (NEWS)
AMR 51/095/2005
07/06/2005 USA: Fear of torture and ill-treatment / Fear of "disappearance" (URGENT ACTIONS)
AMR 51/094/2005
07/06/2005 USA: US detentions in Afghanistan: an aide-mémoire for continued action (REPORTS)
AMR 51/093/2005
01/06/2005 USA: Who are the Guantánamo detainees? Case sheet 9: Libyan citizen/UK resident: Omar Deghayes (REPORTS)
AMR 51/088/2005

Lots more at:
http://web.amnesty.org/library/eng-usa/index&start=1

[FVZA_Colonel]

28. Interesting, but that isn't really part of an effective argument.

I'm trying to denigrate the suffering of the people these reports talk about, or say that Chavez is necessarily a terrible dictator, but simply quoting statistics about the United States's human rights abuse record alone is not enough to make an effective argument.

[1932]

25. Why do you use tinyurl?

It would help if you just gave the original link so people could see who your sources are.

DU abreviates links automatically, so you don't have to work about long links.

[FVZA_Colonel]

27. "inadequate protection of the rights of indiginous peoples"

Hmm, I'd thought he'd been giving large land parcels to indiginous tribes recently.

[0007]

29. LOL!! Those five don't pass the smell test. Let's have a little

authenticity by a recognizable source.

[Judi Lynn]

36. Sometimes you think you've seen everything on Chavez threads.

It looks like the right-wing is getting even more desperate now. They've got to trash Hugo Chavez convincingly if they can hope to get the support they need to bust a move militarily on him, to keep Americans from rebelling against that filthy plan.

[IndianaGreen]

32. The truly wealthy are wealthy at the expense of the workers

You don't seem to be bothered about the rich becoming richer at the expense of the poor, but only about the wealthy when their obscene profits take a hit.

Human rights record? I'll bet you think Bush has a good human rights record.

[Demeter]

4. Chavez is Following The Bill Clinton Economic Plan

In fact, he's improved on it. Viva Chavez!
Just do everything opposite Dubya, and you'll be fine!

[rman]

38. Chavez improved it by going way more to the left

then Clinton and the moderate gang would ever want to go.

[greygandalf]

5. Oil profits probably helped quite a bit here. n/t

[Realityhack]

56. Duh... but they previously did NOT because of policy decisions.

Chavez made extensive changes to the national oil company to make sure the money benifited the people not an eliete few or outside companies. There are plenty of places with lots of natural resorce exports where the money never helps the poor.

[applegrove]

6. That man must be destroyed for showing the efficient side of social

programs in some cases. :sarcasm:

[Judi Lynn]

9. Venezuela promises cheap oil to poor Chicagoans

From the Chicago Tribune

Venezuela promises cheap oil to poor Chicagoans

By Oscar Avila
Tribune staff reporter

October 13, 2005, 7:07 PM EDT

Venezuelan officials today promised to offer discounted oil to benefit poor Americans, with Chicago one of four U.S. cities to be included in the initial energy offer.

The pledge came at the start of a two-day series of events in Chicago by Venezuelan government officials to promote better relations between Americans and the controversial regime of leftist President Hugo Chavez.

"Venezuela Matters" is unusual public diplomacy by Chavez to mix his anti-American rhetoric with generosity toward the American people.

While Venezuela had offered the cheap oil after Hurricane Katrina struck, today's announcement provided new details, including word Chicago would be among the first cities to benefit from the South Americans' generosity.
(snip/...)

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/chi-051013venezuela,0,1424914.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines

[CountAllVotes]

11. Wow! This is great news for Venezuela!

I am really glad to know this! Thanks for posting this story!

:kick:

[Carolab]

13. Hugo rules! Look at all those happy faces! n/t

[Judi Lynn]

14. Isn't that the truth? A lot of affectionate smiles out there

and there's one young man with a yellow hat down in front of him who is looking at him as if he's a real hero in his eyes. It's complete respect. You can tell he is loved by ordinary Venezuelans.

[digno dave]

17. what, you think Bushies don't look at their hero the same way...please

Let's use better points to support our ideals.

[wiley]

19. You may also want to check out SOA Watch

http://www.cejil.org/comunicados.cfm?id=601

Later this week, the Commission will hold a hearing on the general human rights situation in Venezuela. CEJIL will highlight institutional deficiencies, including the military criminal justice system, and will express concern over human rights problems related to the operations of paramilitary forces. CEJIL will present information about the human rights situation for different populations in Venezuela, including human rights defenders, persons deprived of their liberty, indigenous communities, and will make reference to the state of economic, social, and cultural rights in the country. Additionally, CEJIL will draw attention to the Venezuelan government’s failures to implement past recommendations and decisions of the organs of the Inter-American system for the protection of human rights.

[1932]

26. The CEJIL is finaced by the N.E.D., by the way.

Venezuela Denounces at OAS US Intervention Aimed at Ousting Chavez
Thursday, Apr 01, 2004
By: Venezuelanalysis.com


Jorge Valero, Venezuelan Ambassador to the OAS.
Caracas, Venezuela. Apr 1 (Venezuelanalysis.com).- The Government of Venezuela denounced before the Organization of the American States (O.A.S.), the intervention of the government of the United States in Venezuela’s internal politics aimed at ousting President Hugo Chavez.

Through a speech before the Permanent Council of the O.A.S., the ambassador of Venezuela before that organization, Jorge Valero, denounced actions by the government of the United States that violated Venezuela’s sovereignty and articles 3 and 19 of the O.A.S. charter.

{snip}

The ambassador denounced the aid of the National for Endowment Democracy to SUMATE, the group that organized the signature collection process to request a recall referendum against Chavez.

The NED has also been financing the Center for Justice & International Law (CEJIL), to promote denunciations against the Venezuelan Government in the matters of human rights before the Inter American System of Human Rights.

http://ww.venezuelanalysis.com/news.php?newsno=1242

[Judi Lynn]

35. Isn't that amazing? The link is financed by us, the taxpayers, with money

given to them through the _Bush administration's allocations to N.E.D. Small world, isn't it?

Right-wing power-mad pResident gives money to them, they crank out this outrageous bunk posturing as information, right-wing posters spam it onto Democratic message boards, and tell us we need to read it to learn the truth about a democratically elected President of another country, our own right-wing, power-mad pResident is trying to destroy. How convoluted is that?

What kinds of groups does NED support in Venezuela?
The Endowment program in Venezuela has focused on promoting citizen participation in the political process, civil and political rights, freedom of expression and professional journalism, and conflict mediation. Grantee Instituto de Prensa y Sociedad - Venezuela (Press and Society Institute - Venezuela) works to protect journalists through an alert network and improve their investigative reporting skills. Justicia Alternativa uses NED support to conduct training on conflict resolution, human rights, and police-community relations in the state of Aragua. The Center for Justice and International Law monitors the human rights situation in Venezuela and is training local human rights groups and journalists on how to prepare cases for the Inter-American system to defend freedom of expression. NED funding allows the Acción para el Desarrollo to conduct civic education workshops on democratic values and conflict resolution for presidents of neighborhood associations.
(snip)

http://www.ned.org/grants/venezuelaFacts.html

[1932]

41. ...and, by the way, what does "SOA Watch" have to do with CEJIL?

[Judi Lynn]

43. I wondered about that, too.SOA Watch has earned respect. n/t

[Realityhack]

54. Thank You!

I was trying to hunt down who they were backed by.

Sorry but I do not think a 'human rights organization' backed by the same people who tried to illigaly oust Chavez against the democratic will of the people of Venezuela is exactly a relaible sorce.

Chavez may not be a saint. I don't know, I simply have not seen (and there may not BE) enough reliable data. But he does seem to be one of the best things to happen to that country in a long time.

Which of course is why we want him dead or at least out of power and will say and do anything we have to in order to make that happen.

[0007]

30. wiley wiley wiley

I have to give you an elpaso (F)



[rman]

37. Your accusations of human rights violations by Chavez

were shot dead a couple of posts up in this thread.

Those accusations make just about as much sense as Bush's accusations that Venezuela supports terrorism. That is to say, it is entirely within expectations that the RW spouts such accusations about a government that does not put US interests before the interests of that nation and its people.

If you'd have bothered to check out the documentary "The revolution will not be televised" (aka "Chavez, the film" http://chavezthefilm.com/), then you'd know just how much respect Chavez' opponents have for human rights, and for that matter, how much respect they have for the truth.

[Judi Lynn]

20. Yeah, you're right. I see what you mean.

[rman]

39. "think"? - I *know* they don't.

Though only barely, because there aren't very many to begin with.

[Bridget Burke]

44. When is the last time Bush appeared in public?

I mean, really in public?

"Town hall meetings" with hand-picked audiences don't count.

Neither do military gatherings, where disapproval would surely be punished. Although I've seen fewer smiles than grim faces, lately.

[Judi Lynn]

46. Has he EVER appeared in actual public as pResident?

Seems as if his thick cocoon of protection has been with him ever since he stole office.

Republicans know, by watching what has happened to Democrats, how dangerous life can be for politicians!

[Bridget Burke]

48. No, he hasn't made any truly public appearances.

Security concerns are important. But the need to protect his fragile mind from the thought of dissent is more important.

[killbotfactory]

47. Oh no! Won't somebody think of the rich elite?!

This must be affecting their pocket books and can't be good.

[Realityhack]

50. Well... its good for now... but sadly

once Iraq is cleaned up a bit or perhapse even before there is a very good chance Chavez is a dead man. No way our government/corporations will tolorate him for too much longer. They almost succeded once but didn't finish the job fast enough... good chance they will next time.

I wish I could be more optimistic than that but history sortof stands in the way.

[Judi Lynn]

58. Here are a couple of small but significant details I missed last week

From a BBC article on the story you undoubtedly already read, some small, odd factoids not carried in other stories:

New Tribes, he said, flew in and out of the country without proper permission from the authorities.

"These violations of our national sovereignty have to stop," Mr Chavez said.

The president, long at loggerheads with the US over his leftist views, accused the group of building expensive luxury camps for themselves alongside poverty-stricken villages.
(snip/...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4336660.stm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You may remember a DU'er posted an article here last week which discussed the fact that one "missionary group" built a very short airstrip which only very sophisticated U.S. planes which have sharp verticle abilities can negotiate. Wierd, right?

[Realityhack]

59. Isn't that 'missionary group' the one...

that is a thinly vailed oil company front group? (see confesions of an ecconomic hit man).

[Judi Lynn]

60. You bet it is. There must be a ton of info. available if people know where

to look for it! True villains. Here it is, mentioned in a terrific link posted by OzoneMan in a recent DU Venezuela thread:
http://www.cephas-library.com/church_n_state_rockefeller_and_evangelism.html

Here's a link referring to yet ANOTHER U.S. "missionary" group, New Tribes Missions:

....To carry on its ambitious work, the organization had a staff of more than 150 including missionaries, linguists, pilots, engineers, technicians and others. It also had its own communication network. By 1980, God’s soldiers had 2 Bible institutes, 6 basic training camps, a linguistic institute, a radio station, a medical center, and a housing complex for retired missionaries. Even more impressive, New Tribes built 29 air strips from which their light aircraft fleet operated. The airstrips and settlements all fell under their exclusive control. According to one investigator, “not even the armed forces can easily use those airports. In fact, the runways are constructed for specially equipped planes that can land on extra short runways.”

It was at this time that two anthropologists dropped a bombshell by charging that New Tribes was trying to create a state within a state by turning the Indians against the Venezuelan military. According to their findings, the missionaries had circulated flyers amongst the Panare Indians, written in the E’napa tongue but edited in the United States. The literature attempted to discredit the National Guard and sought to pit the Indians against its local units.

At the time, New Tribes was working with two aviation companies, Mission Air Force and Wings of Aid. In fact, the president of New Tribes, Jaime Bou, was also president of the latter. One of the principal tasks of the airlines was to transport supplies and missionary staff from Brazil to Venezuela and onwards to the U.S. From Puerto Ayacucho southwards, the Amazonas area was considered a transit zone prohibited to civilian traffic. However, New Tribes missionaries were allowed to circulate freely and the missionaries were not subject in the least to rigorous controls by Venezuelan authorities. In an overview of the New Tribes operations, one writer noted, “this adds up to a colonial enclave in the middle of the Amazon jungle.”

http://www.coha.org/NEW_PRESS_RELEASES/New_Press_Releases_2005/05.103_Venezuelan_Evangelicals_and_Robertson.html

Thanks for your additional recommendation of Confessions of an Economic Hitman. Several other DU'ers have read it and endorsed it as well. I've bought the book and can't arrange the time I need to read it, yet. Looks as if it's an absolute MUST READ.

What this country needs more than almost anything else is some brave people coming forward and throwing some desperately needed light on what the power-seeking, and greedy among us are doing to the rest of the world and doing it in our names: people like John Perkins.

I found some photos of him in a quick search:



I hope the people who've abused the lives and faith of these citizens will spend ages in torment for their betrayal. This racial and national hautiness and disrespect for others should be their downfall.

[Realityhack]

61. Thanks for confirming that.

I just finished the book. Not anything new or suprising (to me) but it was very cool to get a first hand account of someone who was actualy involved (as uposed to views from the outside like say chomsky).