UN Rights Chief Concerned Over Arrest Of Venezuela Opposition Figures

Authorities in Venezuela are being urged by the UN Human Rights High Commissioner to release all those who are being held in custody for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association and expression.

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein made the appeal on Tuesday in a statement expressing his deep concern over the arrest of two key opposition leaders.

Leopoldo Lopez and António Ledezma, who were on house arrest, were taken into custody overnight on Monday.

The UN human rights chief also expressed regret over the deaths of at least 10 people during demonstrations held amid the Constituent Assembly elections this past weekend.

He called for their deaths to be investigated "in a prompt, effective and independent manner, with the full cooperation of the Government."

UN Radio/GBC