Henry

These are Henry’s* own words, straight from his statement.

My country Venezuela daily lives a drama of human suffering which has undermined our basic rights to live our lives in dignity. The so-called Bolivarian revolution, which was the hope of redemption for the majority of the population and of the humble people, has ended in a catastrophic historic fraud and shipwrecked dreams — the idea of a popular democracy, full-fledged protection of human rights, ethical and moral conduct in public administration, using the economy to advance human progress, and the family as the foundation of the nation. Additionally, the dictatorship used the COVID-19 pandemic for its own benefit, as a way to have control over Venezuelans. The management and communication have been politicized, putting aside the scientific and technical voices. In my case, I come from a humble family: democratic and absolutely opposed to the Venezuelan regime.

On March 15, 2021 I was named assistant coordinator of the youth arm of the Justice First Movement (MPJ). From that time on, I noticed that when I went home after a political activity I had organized, I had the feeling that I was being pursued. Several times at night I heard motorcycles passing in front of my house, making noise (burning rubber), and they would even shout, “Henry, we have identified you as a traitor.”

On Sunday, July 18, 2021, the youth and a group of women from Justice First organized a celebration for Children’s Day. It was a fun afternoon for 80 children from the sector la Peineta from Bocono Parish with party favors, face painting, and recreation. The activities were still going on when, at 5:00 PM, we were vacated from the premises by the regime’s security group, saying that this was prohibited by the government. We left there, and I went back to my house. Minutes later, a group of motorized pro government collectives passed by my house about three times, burning rubber, doing wheelies, and honking, which is how the narco-dictatorship tries to intimidate. These threats grew as the days passed. Then I received intimidating emails and threats of death and persecution. That is how the narco-dictatorship sews fear and terrorism, to quiet those who want a Venezuela of progress and opportunities.

I realized that I needed help and protection to safeguard my life. The criminal regime that governs Venezuela does not respect even the most basic human rights: the right to food, life, health, education, and freedom of expression. In my case I am persecuted politically for thinking differently, for dissenting. They have turned public institutions into a perversion and deviation of the rights which are guaranteed in our Constitution, based on respecting basic rights like the right to life and liberty, without physical and psychological abuse. We understand human rights as an array of inherent liberties for every single human being, such as equality and personal and social dignity. The point of these liberties is to guarantee and satisfy conditions that are indispensable for the development of a dignified life, “without distinction of race, color, sex, language, religion, political opinion, national or social origin, economic position, birth or any other condition” within the Universal Human Rights of the United Nations in its Articles:

            Articule 5:  No one shall be subjected to tortures or penalties or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

            Article 8:  Every person has a right to due process before the national tribunals, against acts which violate their fundamental rights recognized by the constitution or the lay.

            Article 9:  No one shall be arbitrarily detained, imprisoned or exiled.

            Article 14:  In the case of persecution, every person has the right to seek asylum, and enjoy it in whichever country.  This right cannot be invoked against a judicial action originating from common crimes or acts that oppose the principles of the United Nations.

Therefore I ask for political asylum in the United States, thanking you in advance for the solidarity that you might offer me.

*Name has been changed.

Mel Chang