OEA/Ser.

G
CP/RES. 1078 (2108/17)
3 April 2017
Original: English

CP/RES. 1078 (2108/17)

RESOLUTION ON THE RECENT EVENTS IN VENEZUELA

(Adopted by the Permanent Council at its session held on April 3, 2017)

THE PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES,

REITERATING the principles and recalling the mechanisms established in the Charter of the
Organization of American States and the Inter-American Democratic Charter on the strengthening
and preservation of the democratic institutional system in member states;

REAFFIRMING that the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental
freedoms are a basic prerequisite for the existence of a democratic society;

REAFFIRMING also that separation of powers and independence of the branches of

government are essential elements of representative democracy;

EXPRESSING our grave concern regarding the unconstitutional alteration of the democratic
order in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and our continuous support for dialogue and
negotiation to lead to a peaceful restoration of democratic order,

DECLARES that:

1. The decisions of the Supreme Court of Venezuela to suspend the powers of the
National Assembly and to arrogate them to itself are inconsistent with democratic practice and
constitute an alteration of the constitutional order of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Notwithstanding the recent revision of some elements of these decisions, it is essential that the
Government of Venezuela ensures the full restoration of democratic order.

RESOLVES:

1. To urge action by the Venezuelan government to safeguard the separation and

independence of powers and to restore full constitutional authority to the National Assembly.

2. To stand ready to support measures to return to democratic order through the

effective exercise of democracy and rule of law within the Venezuelan constitutional framework.
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3. To remain seized of the situation in Venezuela and to undertake as necessary further

diplomatic initiatives to foster the restoration of the democratic institutional system, in accordance
with the Charter of the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Democratic Charter,
including the convening of a ministerial meeting.

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