GENEVA - Venezuela must ensure that proven merit and integrity are the basis for the appointment of the country's Attorney General and the Ombudsperson on 27 March, UN experts* said today.
"Given the crucial roles these two positions play in safeguarding human rights and the rule of law, the National Assembly and all related actors must ensure that these processes are conducted according to applicable standards," the experts said.
On 27 March 2026, Venezuela will appoint a new Attorney General and the Ombusdperson, after the resignation of the two incumbents.
"We regret that in the past, appointments to these positions were made outside the constitutionally established procedures and carried out in breach of minimum standards of merit, transparency, independence, citizen participation and accountability, appointing the same people over and over," the experts said.
"Civil society and human rights defenders must play an integral part of these appointments, and their inputs must be considered in selecting the right candidate profiles," they said.
Venezuela must publish the merit-based criteria for both positions and make the evaluation of all applicants against this criteria transparent, the experts said.
"Venezuela must start a new era and appoint the best profiles that meet the required criteria to these key positions," the experts warned. "As a minimum measure, all individuals against whom there are credible allegations of conduct incompatible with human rights standards, especially those who have held decision-making authority relevant to criminalisation, arbitrary detentions and torture should not be shortlisted nor appointed until an independent and thorough investigation into those allegations is conducted."
"Both institutions must deliver results for society as a whole, but especially for the victims of human rights violations and abuses of power. To this end, the first step must be a transparent and objective selection process and the appointment of individuals whose independence, competence, and commitment are recognized by all Venezuelan society," the experts said.
"Venezuela must seize this opportunity and appoint individuals of proven merit and capacity to these two positions, as a first step to rebuilding trust and establishing an independent justice system and national human rights institution," they said.
The experts have been in contact with Venezuela about their concerns.
