Press Release
14/02/2009Venezuelan Expulsion of MEP Luis Herrero unacceptable. Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group
Venezuelan Expulsion of MEP Luis Herrero unacceptable. Joseph Daul, Chairman of the EPP-ED GroupThe Chairman of the European People's Party and European Democrats in the European Parliament (EPP-ED, centre-right), Joseph Daul, has condemned today, Saturday 14 February, the expulsion from Venezuela of MEP Luis Herrero, who was part of a delegation of five MEPs of the EPP-ED, guests in this country of the opposition forces as observers of the referendum on constitutional reform.
"This expulsion by force, because of statements critical of the authorities and without explanation, is an attack on freedom of expression, which confirms that the regime of Hugo Chavez departs every day a little more from the freedoms that must be the norm in any democracy, "said Joseph Daul, who also denounced the unacceptable treatment that Venezuelan security forces have inflicted on the Spanish MEP.
"This shows that Hugo Chavez and his family do not want witnesses to what may happen in a referendum which, as everyone knows, is designed to reform the constitution to allow him to remain indefinitely in power", declared Joseph Daul. The first reform in this direction had already been rejected by the people in Venezuela in December 2007.
Joseph Daul welcomed the fact that his colleague Luis Herrero, however, is safe and sound in Brazil, and urged the other Members of the Delegation of the EPP-ED Group to remain united and carry out their election observation mission. He also appealed to the Venezuelan people to go en masse to the polls in a referendum to be held Sunday.
(translation from the original Spanish)
For further information:
Antoine Ripoll, Chairman's Spokesman, Tel: +32-475-856290
Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 288 Members from all 27 Member States.
