Venezuela rights chief disputes critical OAS report

02/27/10: JURIST reports that the top Venezuelan human rights official on Thursday criticized findings in a report issued by the Organization of American States Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Ombudsman Gabriela Ramirez, Venezuela's top rights official, said that the report makes unfair characterizations and undermines Venezuelan democracy. Ramirez responded to statistical findings in the report that suggest the perpetuation of undemocratic processes, saying that the data actually show an improved rights record. In a related statement issued Friday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez reaffirmed his belief that the IACHR, which has seven members elected by the OAS General Assembly, is an instrument of US imperialism.