AMERICA/VENEZUELA - University students deplore violence and confrontation in the country, calling them “events that upset and sadden the people of Venezuela, who want to live in peace and democracy.”

Caracas (Agenzia Fides) – The Department of Youth and Campus Ministry has issued a statement to all universities in Venezuela, expressing its stance on the violent events that have recently taken place in the universities and in student demonstrations.
The members of Campus Ministry remind all concerned of the Venezuelan Bishops' Exhortation on the “Situation of the country and ethical renewal,” issued at the beginning of this year, in which they affirm that “all Christians should make an effort to create a national climate of peaceful coexistence and solidarity.”
Thus, they ask National Authorities to “respect human rights and protect all citizens, especially university students, aware of the fact that peaceful demonstration is a constitutional right universally acknowledged.” Campus Ministry explains that experience shows that “when the government and police respect and protect the right to free expression, as occurred this past January 23, there is no violence.”
They also asked all areas of society, especially those in higher education, to “work together in building a culture of life. Our people want peace, which can only be reached through respect for diversity, defense of life, freedom as a basic right, and the exercise of authentic justice,” they said.
Lastly, they expressed their disapproval of the events that have recently occurred in the nation, such as the “violent attacks on various institutions, especially on the Apostolic Nunciature, and the attacks on Cardinal Jorge Urosa.” They are events, they say, that “upset and sadden the Venezuelan people who want to live in peace and democracy.” (RG) (Agencia Fides 30/1/2009)