Naked marchers against Chavez
2004-03-12 12:02
Caracas - About 50 opposition activists in the Venezuelan city of Maracay marched naked and half-naked on Thursday to protest what they claim are human rights violations by the government of populist President Hugo Chavez.
Radio reports said nude activists, some with their bodies painted with anti-Chavez slogans, gathered outside the Aragua state prosecutor's office and the Human Rights Ombudsman's building in Maracay.
They protested against the failure of those agencies to take action regarding the violence last week in Venezuela.
The opposition claims excessive force was used by security forces to control protest demonstrations across Venezuela set off by an electoral ruling that stymied efforts to organize a recall vote on Chavez.
Officials said nine people were killed in the unrest, but the opposition claims 13 people died, 1 720 suffered injuries, 410 were arrested, seven people were tortured in prison and seven people are still missing.
"People marched naked because that is how they feel; naked and defenceless in the face of agencies who are under the control of the government and do not act when faced by violations to human rights," said First Justice youth party leader Elmer Alvarez. - dpa
- SAPA