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Maduro: UN Human Rights Chief ‘Always Welcome’ to Visit


New United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet attends the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 10, 2018.
New United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet attends the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 10, 2018.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Thursday that U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet was welcome to visit any time after she urged Caracas to allow an international investigation of the humanitarian situation in the country.

“Of course, whenever she wants,” Maduro told reporters when asked at the United Nations if he would accept a mission to report on the human rights situation in Venezuela.

“President Bachelet, the high commissioner, should coordinate with the foreign ministry when she wants to go to Venezuela. She’s always welcome,” he added.

Bachelet, a former president of Chile, took over at the head of the U.N. Human Rights Council Sept. 1.

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 26, 2018, at the United Nations headquarters.
Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sept. 26, 2018, at the United Nations headquarters.

Earlier Thursday, the council said it had approved a resolution expressing serious concern about alleged human rights violations in Venezuela, and urged the country to let Bachelet compile a report on the conditions on the ground.

In a video published by the United Nations, Bachelet said for the Human Rights Council to be able to produce an impartial report on the situation, it was vital to be allowed in. It would also provide an opportunity for the council to get the “official version” from Venezuela’s government, she added.

Venezuela, which is struggling to cope with an economic and political crisis, has come under the spotlight for its human rights record at the U.N. General Assembly this week.

Five Latin American countries and Canada on Wednesday said they had asked the International Criminal Court to investigate Maduro’s government over allegations of crimes against humanity in using force to repress political opponents.

Venezuela has rejected criticism of the Maduro government as hostile propaganda and attempts to set the stage for an intervention by foreign powers in the country.

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    Reuters

    Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

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