Victoria Capriles, who is conducting research at the Asser Institute through the Shelter City programme run by Justice and Peace Netherlands, was interviewed by NOS about the current situation in Venezuela. The conversations appeared across print media, radio, and television.
Venezuela remains in a state of heightened tension following the events of 3 January 2026. Human rights defenders who have advocated for democratic change for years face an increasingly precarious situation. Many fear what lies ahead for themselves and their country.
On 8 January, the president of the National Assembly announced there would be a ‘large number of releases’ of political prisoners. However, civil society organisations tracking the situation report that, as of 21 January, only 167 people have been freed. This figure includes three Dutch nationals. An estimated 949 individuals remain imprisoned, and new arbitrary detentions continue to occur. The lack of official information from Venezuelan authorities makes independent verification difficult.
Capriles’ research at the Asser Institute contributes to the programme strand In the Public Interest: Accountability of the State and the Prosecution of Crimes. Her work focuses on international human rights law, international migration law, and public policy from a gender and human rights perspective.
She aims to develop practical guidelines that the Venezuelan state could adopt to address the needs of its diaspora citizens during a transitional justice process, the legal and social mechanisms countries use to address past human rights violations while moving toward peace and democracy.
To view the full pieces of this interview:
To learn more, join us for the public lecture 'Venezuela: Voices from the Ground' on February 10 at 17:00 at the Asser Institute. A panel of Venezuelan scholars and activists, together with an elected member of the UN Human Rights Committee, will examine years of documented human rights violations and the complex uncertainties arising from recent developments.
