Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received of violations of (a) human rights, (b) civil rights and (c) property rights in Venezuela; what recent discussions (i) HM Ambassador, (ii) officials in his Department and (iii) Ministers in his Department have had with the government of Venezuela about human rights in that country; what responses have been received; and if he will make a statement.

I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Venezuela. I am saddened by the deaths that have occurred since protests started in February, and condemn all acts of violence. I am concerned by reports of excessive use of force in protests, and of armed groups using violence, and I call on all sides to show restraint.

I wrote to Venezuelan Ambassador and most recently to Mr Alvaro Sanchez, the Charge d'Affaires, on 24 March 2014 to raise my concerns and to emphasise the need for a peaceful dialogue. I have also spoken to Ministers across the region, including during my recent visit to South America, to reiterate this message. In addition, as recently as 6 June, the Director for Americas raised human rights with opposition and civil society representatives during a visit to Caracas. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials maintain a regular dialogue with the Venezuelan Embassy in London regarding these issues.