GENEVA - Venezuela must continue to lift the blockades on websites affiliated with media organisations and human rights groups and digital services in the country, UN experts* said today.
"These restrictions unduly limit access to information and the exercise of the freedom of expression, the right to privacy, and the ability to communicate securely," the experts warned.
Internet service providers, including CANTV, Digitel, Telefónica Venezolana C.A. (Movistar Venezuela), a subsidiary of Spain-based Telefónica S.A., Inter, Net Uno, Airtek, and G-Network, have reportedly blocked access to the websites of media outlets and human rights organisations, as well as to social media platforms, messaging services, and VPN providers for years, allegedly at the request of the National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL).
The ban on X was lifted after the earthquakes in June 2026, but other websites and digital services remained inaccessible, the experts said.
In September 2026, several sites have been unblocked by internet service providers and access has been restored to additional platforms and websites. However, other websites remain fully or partially restricted, including national and international media outlets, online privacy tools, and civil society organisations.
"The recent unblocking of sites is a step in the right direction. But it must be extended to all unduly blocked sites and implemented by all internet service providers," the experts said. "Maintaining the restrictions undermines the Venezuelan people's right to seek, receive, and impart information and the ability of journalists and human rights defenders to communicate securely and exercise their legitimate right to promote, and ensure the effective realisation of fundamental rights."
They were concerned by the lack of information about the legal basis for the restrictions and avenues available to challenge them.
"Authorities in Venezuela must adopt measures in line with international standards, to ensure that arbitrary blockades on websites do not recur in the future," the experts said.
"Telecommunications companies have an independent responsibility to respect human rights," they said. "The Government must ensure that instructions issued by the authorities to telecommunications providers do not contribute to human rights violations."
Authorities must also ensure that CANTV, a state-owned enterprise, conducts operations in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Welcoming the announcement by the President-in-charge to request amendments to the criminal provisions in the Anti-Hate Law, the experts said international human rights mechanisms have expressed concerns about this legislation and its abuse to restrict freedom of expression and criminalise peaceful dissent since its adoption in 2017.
"Reform of the Anti-Hate Law must be in line with international human rights standards and ensure full respect for freedom of expression," the experts said.
They noted progress regarding journalists facing criminal proceedings in Venezuela, including three recent cases in which acquittals were handed down.
"We hope the same measures are taken in other pending cases, in line with the State's human rights obligations," they said.
The experts are in contact with the Government of Venezuela regarding their concerns.
