Escaped Political Prisoner: Antonio Ledezma
WHO
Antonio Ledezma
WHERE
The 10th Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy panel, "Should Venezuela be on the United Nations Human Rights Council?"
Antonio Ledezma was accompanied by Luis Amargo, the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States, and Irwin Cotler, former Canadian Member of Parliament and Minister of Justice, and current member of OAS' inquiry on Venezuela and the International Criminal Court.
WHY
Antonio Ledezma was Caracas' democratically elected mayor from 2008 until his arrest in 2015 by the Bolivarian Intelligence Service for his critical views of socialist governments. Accused of plotting a coup, he was detained, imprisoned, and put on house arrest facing up to 26 years imprisonment. This isn't Ledezma's first rodeo for standing up to the government. After his budget and power were reduced by Chavez's regime, he protested by going on a hunger strike.
The Geneva Summit had awarded him and Leopoldo Lopez the 2016 Courage Award "for inspiring the world with their extraordinary courage in the defence of liberty and universal human rights."
He has since escaped to Colombia, where he flew to Spain to reunite with his family in November 2017 and met with world leaders to fight for his people's freedom.
WHAT
His impassioned summit speech and unequivocal fight for justice were felt throughout a room of a thunderous, Venezuelan-flag-holding crowd.
Goosebumps.
Excerpts from his speech (translated from Spanish):
Due to the exponential inflation, basic necessities have become unaffordable, resulting in an average loss of 19 pounds per person, subsequently plunging the country into a humanitarian crisis. It is also expected that the Venezuelan's crisis will exceed Syria's.
What can be done on an individual level? Below are a few organizations directly aiding Venezuelans:
Alimenta La Protesta is a group in charge of giving food and water to Venezuelans protestors.
Primeros Auxilios of Central University of Venezuela are medical students who go to the streets to treat the injured. Donate supplies you can buy through this Amazon list.
Sharing for Life is an organization that helps feed children who are in critical health condition and need food.
Cuatro Por Venezuela provide specific needs in the areas of health, nutrition and education.
So...Should Venezuela be on the United Nations Human Rights Council?
“Would you appoint a pedophile to a nursery school?" - Antonio Ledezma.
Antonio Ledezma
 |
| Antonio Ledezma. Source: EFE |
WHERE
The 10th Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy panel, "Should Venezuela be on the United Nations Human Rights Council?"
Antonio Ledezma was accompanied by Luis Amargo, the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States, and Irwin Cotler, former Canadian Member of Parliament and Minister of Justice, and current member of OAS' inquiry on Venezuela and the International Criminal Court.
WHY
Antonio Ledezma was Caracas' democratically elected mayor from 2008 until his arrest in 2015 by the Bolivarian Intelligence Service for his critical views of socialist governments. Accused of plotting a coup, he was detained, imprisoned, and put on house arrest facing up to 26 years imprisonment. This isn't Ledezma's first rodeo for standing up to the government. After his budget and power were reduced by Chavez's regime, he protested by going on a hunger strike.
The Geneva Summit had awarded him and Leopoldo Lopez the 2016 Courage Award "for inspiring the world with their extraordinary courage in the defence of liberty and universal human rights."
He has since escaped to Colombia, where he flew to Spain to reunite with his family in November 2017 and met with world leaders to fight for his people's freedom.
WHAT
 |
| Source: 2018 Geneva Summit |
Goosebumps.
Excerpts from his speech (translated from Spanish):
- Government forces came into my office [...] They gave false evidence and sentenced me to 26 years of prison for trying to overthrow the government.
- This regime has converted the armed forces to be obliged to kill innocent civilians.
- My heart is throbbing. I suffer from the thought of my country. This country is experiencing martyrdom. In that last three years more than 300,000 Venezuelans have died.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Venezuela will now have a seat the the Security Council [...] I will not be free and calm until justice is done.
Due to the exponential inflation, basic necessities have become unaffordable, resulting in an average loss of 19 pounds per person, subsequently plunging the country into a humanitarian crisis. It is also expected that the Venezuelan's crisis will exceed Syria's.
What can be done on an individual level? Below are a few organizations directly aiding Venezuelans:
Primeros Auxilios of Central University of Venezuela are medical students who go to the streets to treat the injured. Donate supplies you can buy through this Amazon list.
Sharing for Life is an organization that helps feed children who are in critical health condition and need food.
Cuatro Por Venezuela provide specific needs in the areas of health, nutrition and education.
So...Should Venezuela be on the United Nations Human Rights Council?
“Would you appoint a pedophile to a nursery school?" - Antonio Ledezma.
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