UN Will Investigate Venezuela For Human Rights Abuses

A fact-finding mission does not have the ability to prosecute offenders, but instead monitors and collects data and evidence relating to human rights abuses. Though the mission cannot prosecute offenders, it can feed into other investigations, such as the International Criminal Court, and possibly lead to a trial.

The vote in the Human Rights Council easily passed 19-7, but the vote called attention to continuing tension in the council. Among those that voted against the fact-finding mission were countries that are facing their own allegations of human rights violations including China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines.

A vocal critic of Venezuela, the United States was notably absent from the discussion since announcing their withdrawal from the Human Rights Council last year.

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