Venezuela opposition prepares second round of political negotiations

A second round of political negotiations between the Venezuelan government and the 2015 National Assembly is scheduled to begin on September 15. The opposition delegation, led by Dinorah Figuera, intends to establish a specialized table focused on political, civil, and expression liberties.

The upcoming discussions will prioritize reviewing several controversial laws to align them with international human rights standards. Key legislation under scrutiny includes the Law Against Hate, the law regarding the control of NGOs, and the anti-terrorism law. Additionally, the Simón Bolívar law, which imposes heavy penalties for those promoting sanctions against the government, is slated for review.

These talks follow a first cycle of negotiations where parties reached agreements regarding the complete renewal of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ) and the recovery of international reserve assets held at the Bank of England. The opposition aims to address the normative and institutional aspects of repression through these legislative adjustments.