Question to the European Commission:
Is the Commission aware that President Hugo Chávez of
Venezuela has been restricting freedom of the media by
setting up a broadcasting authority of government appointees
to enforce vaguely worded guidelines with tough penalties
such as suspension of transmission, heavy fines or
revocation of licences, and that Chávez's supporters have
used violence and threats towards independent journalists?
Has the Commission heard that criticism of Chávez's tactics
has been made a criminal offence with a jail sentence, that
Chávez has filled the Venezuelan Supreme Court with cronies
and that any judges working on politically controversial
cases are liable to be sacked if they reach a verdict with
which Chávez disagrees?
How does the above affect the Commission's policies on aid
to Venezuela?
