Visit of President Perez of Venezuela Joint Communiqué on Human Rights Issued Following President Perez' Visit

The Presidents of the Republic of Venezuela and of the United States of America,

Recognize that the two countries share the same historic position regarding ,the protection of human rights as enshrined in their respective Constitutions;

Recognize that the Charter of the United Nations and of the Organization of American States obligate members to promote universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedom for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion;

Recognize that the Charter of .the Organization of American States provides that member states should exhibit respect for the sovereignty of other nations, for peace, the rule of law, individual liberties, and social justice;

Recognize that the American ,Convention on Human Rights represents the reaffirmation of our commitment to promote the dignity of the individual in the Hemisphere;

Reaffirm their conviction that the protection and safeguarding of .the rights and liberties of man should constitute an objective of all nations of the world;

Proclaim their dedication to those objectives and purposes and agree in their conviction that it is necessary to encourage efforts in support of the dignity of man and the universal protection of human rights as a major goal in the evolution of international law;

Affirm their common commitment .to join with other nations in combatting abuses of human rights, including those caused by political, social, and economic injustice;

Affirm that the struggle for observance of human rights is an integral part of the political values of democratic societies;

Express the hope that the American Convention on Human Rights will be ratified and entered into force as soon as possible;

Affirm their continuing joint support for the excellent and effective work performed by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, underlining the indispensable need to provide increasingly efficacious means to promote effective respect for the rights of man;

Express interest in increasing the autonomy and resources of the Commission;

Express their interest in seeking ways to promote throughout the Hemisphere broadened programs in the care, protection and resettlement of political refugees; and

Strongly support the Costa Rican initiative to create the post of a United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights.