Venezuela: Disturbing Plan to Suspend Due Process
16 Oct 2007 17:06:35 GMT
Source: Human Rights Watch
(New York, October 16, 2007) – A constitutional amendment proposed by a pro-government committee in Venezuela's National Assembly would allow the suspension of due process protections, Human Rights Watch said today.
The amendment would eliminate the constitutional prohibition on suspending due process rights in states of emergency. Under Venezuela's constitution, these rights include, among others: the right to the presumption of innocence and to a fair trial; the right to an attorney; the right against self-incrimination; the right of a defendant to know the charges and evidence against him; and the right against double jeopardy. 
