Hugo Chavez - Not somebody to be embraced IMO...

[SaveElmer]

From 2003 Report of Amnesty International

http://web.amnesty.org/report2004/ven-summary-eng

Police brutality

The National Guard and police were accused on a number of occasions of using excessive force in the context of the political crisis.

In January, during the national stoppage, strikers and protesters at a bottling plant in Valencia, Carabobo State, were reportedly beaten and intimidated by the National Guard.
In September the National Guard reportedly used excessive force and threats during the eviction of sacked national oil industry employees and their families from a company-owned housing development.

Media

The mutual hostility between private media organizations and the government continued. A number of journalists were reportedly threatened and attacked, but the authorities apparently failed to conduct effective investigations. The media accused the authorities of seeking to use administrative powers to curtail press freedoms.

In July the Supreme Court ruled against the implementation of a general recommendation by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to abolish antiquated laws on disrespect for authority. The laws violated international standards on freedom of expression by potentially criminalizing the publication of allegations against public officials.

Access to justice

Elements of draft legislation to regulate the composition and functions of the Supreme Court threatened to give unprecedented powers to the National Assembly and potentially undermined the Court’s independence.

Insufficient numbers of prosecutors, investigative police and judges contributed to serious deficiencies, including long delays, in the justice system. Almost half of all prisoners were held on remand. Prison overcrowding led to repeated protests against judicial delays and conditions of detention. There were also continuing concerns about the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Human Rights Ombudsman.

From a 2004 report...Amnesty INternational
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news/press/15354.shtml

Venezuela: Torture and Ill-Treatment by Security Forces
In a new report launched today, Amnesty International highlights cases of excessive use of force, torture and ill-treatment committed by security forces in the context of demonstrations that took place in Venezuela between February and March 2004. The report raises serious questions about the commitment of key institutions to prevent and punish such abuses impartially.

http://usinfo.state.gov/wh/Archive/2004/Sep/14-417200.html

According to Venezuela's National Press Association, there were 708 reported "aggressions" against journalists in Venezuela from 1995 to March 5, 2004, Noriega said in a May 10 speech to the Inter-American Press Association's Summit of National Congresses of the Americas. Noriega reminded the group that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez declared 2003 to be "the year of the war against the media."

Obviously I think Bush's exortations against Chavez are a smokescreen to hide his own failures, and calls by that buffoon Robertson that he be taken out are stupid and ridiculuous, but Chavez does not appear to me to be someone to look to as a hero either.

[KittyWampus]

1. I agree with Chavez's ends but not his means. He is one media savvy guy

though!

Offering petrol after Katrina was a stroke of genius.