A/HRC/RES/51/29 Expressing concern at continued reports of restrictions of civic and democratic space, including arbitrary detention, acts of intimidation and reprisals, public defamation of protesters, journalists and other media workers, lawyers, human rights defenders and other civil society stakeholders, and acknowledging their ongoing efforts under such conditions, Welcoming the increased cooperation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the special procedures of the Human Rights Council, aware of the confidential letter of understanding between the Office of the High Commissioner and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,3 noting the preliminary steps taken by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, with the support of technical assistance provided by the Office, towards strengthening the rule of law, and encouraging continued cooperation between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the new High Commissioner, Noting with appreciation the decision taken to establish an office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and encouraging the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to cooperate fully with this office, especially in the context of the investigation opened by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, and noting the positive first steps in this regard, Affirming its strong conviction that there can only be a peaceful and democratic solution to the current crisis in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and that such a solution lies with the Venezuelan people, without any sort of foreign military, security or intelligence interference, and requires the holding of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections, in accordance with international standards, and expressing support for relevant diplomatic efforts in this regard, such as the ongoing Mexico City process, 1. Strongly condemns all violations and abuses of international human rights law in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, some of which, according to the independent international fact-finding mission, may amount to crimes against humanity; 2. Urges the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to implement fully and immediately the recommendations contained in the recent reports of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and of the independent international fact-finding mission, and regrets that most of the recommendations made in their previous reports 4 have not been implemented; 3. Expresses deep concern that the continued erosion of the rule of law, insecurity of tenure, lack of transparency in the process of designating judges and prosecutors, precarious working conditions and political interference, including the recent appointment of Supreme Court justices who lack independence, continue to undermine the independence of the justice system, contribute to impunity and the persistence of human rights violations and abuses, have an impact on access to justice for victims and hinder the holding of free and fair elections; 4. Strongly condemns the widespread targeted repression and persecution on political grounds, including through the excessive use of force, arbitrary detention, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, extrajudicial execution and enforced disappearance by the security and intelligence forces, intervention in the autonomy and composition of several political parties, and deplores ongoing restrictions to civic and democratic space; 5. Urges the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to adopt appropriate measures to address reported human rights violations and abuses such as acts of violence and harassment, including sexual and gender-based violence, against women and girls in detention; 6. Also urges the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to immediately release all political prisoners and all other persons unlawfully or arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, prioritizing those in vulnerable situations; 3 4 2 Letter of understanding dated 20 September 2019 and renewed annually for 2020 and 2021. A/HRC/44/20, A/HRC/44/54 and A/HRC/45/33.