Last October a number of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people were arbitrarily detained by Caracas police when they tried to obtain information from, and film the actions of, the police.

The IGLHRC (International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission) is demanding that Caracas and Venezuelan authorities fully and fairly investigate the arbitrary detentions of 19 LGBT people and human rights defenders, including minors, and adopt measures to prevent arbitrary detentions based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the future.

The police ultimately detained 19 gay and lesbian people, more than 11 of which were minors, confiscating their IDs and cell phones, abusing them verbally referring to their sexual orientation, and beating them. One hid his cell phone and was able to call his colleagues and the Ombudsmen Office. Among those detained were also two men who told the police that they were heterosexual. Unlike the people identified as gay and lesbian, these men were treated respectfully and were allowed to speak by telephone with officials.

According to an IGLHRC spokesman:
"This incident is one of many arbitrary arrests carried out against the LGBT community under the 'Operation Safe Caracas' campaign, meant to crack down on crime. The police harass and abuse people whose sexual orientation and/or gender identity differs from social norms. These detentions are arbitrary under international human rights law and violate the right to life and security, to be free from arbitrary detention, to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, to be free from discrimination, to equality before the law, to freedom of expression, and to the rights of human rights defenders."

For more information, including campaign letters and addresses of Venezuelan officials, view:
www.iglhrc.org/cgi-bin/iowa/article/takeaction/globalactionalerts/1003.html