Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014

The Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 (S. 2142) is a United States law used to impose targeted sanctions on certain individuals in Venezuela that were responsible for violations of human rights of antigovernment protesters during the 2014 Venezuelan protests.[1] The law is also used to strengthen civil society in Venezuela, and for other purposes.[1]

Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014

Full title	A bill to impose targeted sanctions on persons responsible for violations of human rights of antigovernment protesters in Venezuela, to strengthen civil society in Venezuela, and for other purposes.
Introduced in	113th United States Congress
Introduced on	March 13, 2014
Sponsored by	Rep. Robert Menendez (D, NJ-13)
Number of co-sponsors	4
Legislative history
Introduced in the House as S. 2142 by Rep. Robert Menendez (D, NJ-13) on March 13, 2014 Committee consideration by: Senate Foreign Relations Passed the Senate on December 7, 2014 (voice vote) Passed the House on December 10, 2014 (voice vote) Signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 18, 2014

The ACT was extended in 2016 to expire on 31 December 2019.[2]

Procedural history

The bill was introduced by Senator Robert Menendez on March 13, 2014.[3] It was then passed by the Senate on December 7, 2014 and passed the House on December 10, 2014 to be signed into law by President Barack Obama. On December 18, 2014, President Obama signed the bill into law.[4]

Actions

On February 2, 2015, the United States Department of State imposed visa restrictions on current and former Venezuelan officials that were allegedly linked to presumed human rights abuses and political corruption.[5] The visa restrictions also included family members of those involved in the allegations, with the Department of State saying, "We are sending a clear message that human rights abusers, those who profit from public corruption, and their families are not welcome in the United States".[5]

March 2015

On 9 March 2015, Obama ordered the United States Department of the Treasury to freeze property and assets of the following individuals:[6][7]

• Benavides Torres, Antonio José:[7] commander in the Venezuelan armed forces and former leader of the Venezuelan National Guard
• Bernal Martínez, Manuel Gregoria:[7] former Director General of SEBIN
• González López, Gustavo Enrique:[7] Director General of SEBIN
• Haringhton Padron, Katherine Nayarith:[7] national-level prosecutor in Venezuela
• Noguera Pietri, Justo José:[7] former General Commander of Venezuela’s National Guard
• Pérez Urdaneta, Manuel Eduardo:[7] Director of the Bolivarian National Police
• Vivas Landino, Miguel Alcides:[7] Inspector General of the Venezuelan armed forces

See also

• List of bills in the 113th United States Congress
• Corruption in Venezuela
• Human rights in Venezuela
• International sanctions during the Venezuelan crisis

References

1. "S.2142 - Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014". Congress.gov. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
2. "S.2845 - Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Extension Act of 2016". congress.gov. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
3. "S.2142 - Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act of 2014 - Summary". Congress.gov. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
4. "OBAMA SIGNS BILL TO SANCTION VENEZUELAN OFFICIALS". Associated Press. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
5. "U.S. slaps visa restrictions on current, former Venezuelan officials". Reuters. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
6. Rhodan, Maya (9 March 2015). "White House sanctions seven officials in Venezuela". Time. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
7. "Issuance of a new Venezuela-related Executive Order; Venezuela-related Designations". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2019.