BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//132.216.98.100//NONSGML kigkonsult.se iCalcreator 2.20.4// BEGIN:VEVENT UID:20250818T233603EDT-0474VD2Hvi@132.216.98.100 DTSTAMP:20250819T033603Z DESCRIPTION:This event will be webcast at bcooltv.mcgill.ca/Viewer/?EventID =201501124312\nSee our map on how to get to the Faculty of Law [.pdf]\nIn the 1970s and 80s\, when the majority of Latin American countries were rul ed by military dictatorships\, Venezuela was a democracy under civilian ru le. Less than fifty years later\, the country is undergoing one of the mos t serious political and economic crises of its time: an inflation rate at over 60%\, a shortage of basic food and supplies\, and a murder rate that has turned Venezuela into one of the most violent countries in the world. In early 2014\, these factors\, among others\, provoked an eruption of dem onstrations across Venezuela.\nIn an attempt to end the protests\, the gov ernment responded forcefully leaving more than 40 people dead\, 3000 detai ned\, and dozens imprisoned. Among those arrested was Leopoldo López\, a p rominent leader of the Venezuelan opposition\, who has been placed under s olitary confinement in a military prison. Several key politicians\, NGOs\, and even the United Nations have called for Leopoldo López’s release\, ye t the Venezuelan government has taken no action. Leopoldo López remains in prison without a due process.\nThis conference will present two key witne sses of state repression in Venezuela: Carlos Vecchio\, a Venezuelan lawye r\, political exile and the main ally of Leopoldo López\, and Diana López\ , Director of “Accion por la Libertad”\, an initiative in defense of Human rights in Venezuela and sister of Leopoldo Lopez. They will discuss the g rassroots causes of the protests and will share their stories.  They will be joined by Professor emeritus and former Justice Minister and Attorney G eneral of Canada Irwin Cotler\, PC\, OC\, member of Parliament for Mount R oyal\, Liberal Party critic for Rights & Freedoms and International Justic e\, and Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Subcommittee on International H uman Rights.\nMany voices will be needed to reverse the decline of democra cy in Venezuela and end the human rights’ abuses. Please join us for this important event\, which will be moderated by Professor René Provost.\n DTSTART:20150204T230000Z DTEND:20150205T003000Z LOCATION:Maxwell Cohen Moot Court (NCDH 100)\, Chancellor Day Hall\, CA\, Q C\, Montreal\, H3A 1W9\, 3644 rue Peel SUMMARY:Venezuela in Crisis: The Decline of Democracy and the Repression of Human Rights URL:/law/channels/event/venezuela-crisis-decline-democ racy-and-repression-human-rights-240994 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR