By Celia Canon- Talk Radio News Service

Human Rights Attorney Gonzalo Himiob Santome exposed Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s judicial corruption at a press conference at the National Press Club on Wednesday.

“Several cases… have proved that the judicial system in Venezuela has been deteriorating in order to be used as a weapon for persecution and intimidation of the opposition and the political dissidents,” Himiob said.

Himiob was in Washington D.C to introduce a book he and attorneys Robert Amsterdam and Antonio Rosich wrote that documents the case of Eligio Cedeno, a victim of repeated human rights violations by the Venezuelan government.

According to Himiob, “In common crime, from 306, 000 cases reviewed by the general attorney’s office on 2008, only 8000 cases were submitted to formal accusation. That led us to a conclusion that there is a 97% impunity rate of common crimes.” Himiob added that “If the judicial system is not working for persecuting the criminals, what are they doing?”

“In this case, it’s very clear that it doesn’t matter that they are guilty or not. The thing is [they] use the procedures themselves as a punishment… no matter if [the accused] are innocent or not. They are showing that they can submit you to a trial and they can hold you in prison without any respect to the regulations, internal and international regulations. just because they want to make you feel their power over you,” Himiob added.

Human rights attorney Robert Amsterdam gives a brief summary of what caused Honduran president, Manuel Zelaya, to be overthrown by the military. Amsterdam attributes the cause to fundamental differences between the “Chavez line” who favor “constitutional editing” and the “institutional elite” who do not believe that changing the constitution should be decided through a referedum. (0:30)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Attorney Robert Amsterdam describes recently overthrown Honduran president Manuel Zelaya’s last term in power. In particular, Amsterdam cites the President’s surprising switch from his Liberal party to a Chavista school of thought; a change that may have brought Venezuela and Honduras closer, and could justify President Hugo Chavez’s recent declaration that he may intervene militarily in Honduras. (0:29)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

When asked what he believes President Barack Obama’s reaction to the military overthrow of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya should be, human rights attorney Robert Amsterdam insists that Obama should have “no major role” in the situation. Amsterdam says Obama will keep his distance because of the instability of the situation. (0:37)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download