The Achievements of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

As an amendment to motion S3M-05904 in the name of Jamie Hepburn (The Achievements of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela), leave out from first “considers” to end and insert “supports the principles of democracy, media freedom and the defence of human rights across the world; notes the statement by Amnesty International that expresses concern “at the deterioration in freedom of expression in Venezuela” and the injuries and deaths among protestors in recent months; is disturbed by the reported threat made to six television broadcasters by the head of government, President Chávez, for their refusal to broadcast a presidential speech; supports the resolution of the European Parliament on 9 February 2010 that expressed concern at the drift towards authoritarianism shown by the government of President Hugo Chávez; considers that his actions are directed towards weakening the democratic opposition and restricting the rights and freedoms of citizens, and calls on the Venezuelan Government to ensure equal treatment under the law for all media, including the internet, irrespective of political or ideological considerations and to respect media pluralism.”