Due to the disputed election in Venezuela, the Swedish Government plans to increase its support for freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and independent media in Venezuela by SEK 10 million as part of an upcoming investment to improve conditions for free elections.
“In light of the disputed election, Venezuela’s socialist regime is now doing everything it can to silence free speech and block oppositional voices. With this emergency support, we want to help independent journalists to be able to report on the developments and document the restrictions on human rights and freedoms that are being imposed in the country,” says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.
Access to information is vital in the battle against authoritarian regimes. It is a crucial part of the Government’s continuous endeavours to bolster democracy, freedom of the press, and global freedom of expression. This effort is also fundamental to the Government’s initiative to improve the environment for free elections. The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) will provide the support.
