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ePaper created 2015-11-10, 17:27:36 | version 1.33.00
REDACTED Page 109 of 190 ammunition indiscriminately at the crowds and fired rubber bullets and teargas canisters deliberately, at point-blank range, at unarmed individuals causing between 33 to 36 deaths since February 2014 according to Amnesty international and Foro Penal respectively. 445 The killings in the context of the protests were allegedly caused by both security forces and by pro government armed paramilitaries around the country since February 2014. 446 According to Foro Penal, “the majority (19) were protesters killed by shooting either by police or by supposed armed civil collectives.” 447 Amnesty International concluded that “eight protesters were allegedly killed by armed civilians, 4 at the hands of the police as well as other incidents in the 14 barricades set up by protesters to block roads”. 448 Foro Penal further concluded that “seven deaths were the result of being crushed against road barricades; and three of the deaths were by alleged shootings when rubble was being removed from the street.”449 A few of the most notable cases of murders arising from use of lethal force, disproportionate and/or indiscriminate violence, in the course of the GoV’s response to the protests include: (i) Bassil Da Costa On 12 February 2014, the protests took place in many cities all over Venezuela, including Caracas, San Cristobal, Carabobo and Miranda.450 To demand the release of students detained during earlier marches and meaningful reforms. 451 The pro- government students also organized a demonstration in the west of downtown Caracas.452 In Caracas, the protest demanding the release of detained students was pacific and culminated in front of the headquarters of the Office of Public Prosecutions, where the 445 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL. (2015) Venezuela: Balance de derechos humanos tras un año de las protestas; LA PATILLA. (2014) Así marchó la oposición en Venezuela; FORO PENAL VENEZOLANO. (2015) Politically motivated detentions, torture, other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and killings (2014-2015) 446 Please note that Amnesty figures have been adjusted to account only for civilian deaths. Amnesty International that was issued on March 24. See: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL. (2015) Venezuela: Balance de derechos humanos tras un año de las protestas 447 FORO PENAL VENEZOLANO. (2015) Politically motivated detentions, torture, other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and killings (2014-2015) 448 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL. (2015) Venezuela: Balance de derechos humanos tras un año de las protestas 449 FORO PENAL VENEZOLANO. (2015) Politically motivated detentions, torture, other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and killings (2014-2015) 450 LA PATILLA. (2014) Así marchó la oposición en Venezuela 451 February 12 was specifically chosen because it was the 200 anniversary of the Battle of La Victoria, a battle where students played a prominent role in the Venezuelan city of La Victoria’s resistance against attacks by the Spanish army during Venezuela’s campaign for independence. February 12 is also designated as Venezuela’s Youth Day. 452 ANDRADE, A. (2014) Estudiantes oficialistas marcharán el 12 de febrero por la pacificación nacional