IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 224 
Calling on the Government of Venezuela to uphold the human rights and 
civil liberties of the people of Venezuela. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 28, 2005 
Mr. FORTUN˜O (for himself, Mr. MCCOTTER, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of 
Florida, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. 
MACK, and Mr. SOUDER) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Calling on the Government of Venezuela to uphold the 
human rights and civil liberties of the people of Venezuela. 
Whereas the United States has traditionally had close rela-
tions with Venezuela; 
Whereas Venezuela has undergone enormous political 
changes, including a new constitution, a new unicameral 
legislature, and even a new name for the country since 
President Hugo Cha´vez ascended to power; 
Whereas the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights 
(IACHR) has expressed concern that some of these 
changes have resulted in a growing concentration of 
power in the executive branch of government with a tend-
ency to militarize public administration;
•HCON 224 IH 
Whereas some human rights organizations, such as Human 
Rights Watch, have expressed concerns about the inde-
pendence of Venzuela’s judiciary with respect to a May 
2004 court packing law that expanded the Supreme 
Court from 20 to 32 justices; 
Whereas the Venezuelan Government enacted legislation plac-
ing restrictions on broadcast content affecting the full ex-
ercise of freedom of expression; 
Whereas the Venezuelan Government amended Venezuela’s 
criminal code by broadening laws that punish disrespect 
for government authorities; 
Whereas the Venezuelan Government has investigated and 
prosecuted several opposition leaders and brought 
charges against others; and 
Whereas there is growing concern by international human 
rights organizations regarding the deterioration of demo-
cratic institutions, threats and intimidations of human 
rights defenders, illegal wiretapping of private citizens, 
intimidation of political opponents, and extrajudicial exe-
cutions of criminal suspects by police: Now, therefore, be 
it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress— 
(1) expresses its support for the people of Ven-
ezuela in their daily struggle for freedom, respect for 
human rights and civil liberties, democratic self-gov-
ernance, and the establishment of the rule of law; 
(2) calls on the Government of Venezuela to 
abide by its freely undertaken obligations under
•HCON 224 IH 
international human rights treaties and international 
humanitarian law to respect and ensure the rights of 
all individuals, irrespective of their political views; 
(3) calls on the Government of Venezuela to put 
an end to all killings, torture, and ill treatment by 
police and military; 
(4) encourages the Inter-American Commission 
of Human Rights (IACHR) to continue to monitor 
the human rights situation in Venezuela and engage 
with the Government of Venezuela with respect to 
the human rights situation in Venezuela; 
(5) encourages the President and the Secretary 
of State to reach out to democracy and human 
rights activists, and the nonviolent democratic oppo-
sition in Venezuela, and to assist them in their ef-
forts; and 
(6) urges the adoption and pursuit of these and 
other policies to support political parties, the rule of 
law, civil society, and independent media, and other-
wise promote democratic accountable government in 
Venezuela. 
Æ