In view of this situation, which also directly affects our Basque-Venezuelan community, EAJ -PNV wishes to declare the following:

One. - We would like to show our concern and express our disapproval of the violent events in the demonstrations and rallies which have taken place throughout the country, resulting, on 12 February, in the irreparable loss of human lives as well as hundreds of injuries.

Two. - We express our solidarity with the citizens who are demonstrating peacefully and the media which are reporting on the severe plight of the country. We therefore firmly reject any governmental intention or repression which restricts these citizens' freedom of expression and right to demonstrate, as well as the limitation and persecution of the media and journalists. The Government of Venezuela must guarantee and respect the political and social rights of all Venezuelan citizens.

Three. - We understand that such a fiercely polarized society requires verbal disarmament and the initiation and development of a frank and ongoing dialogue between the heads of the government and the opposition in order to agree on a peaceful, democratic and constitutional solution, thereby avoiding widespread civil conflict, heartbreaking confrontation and social and economic chaos.

Four. - We advocate that the Organization of American States (OAS) should help the distension and contribute to the solutions negotiated by the Venezuelan political and social figures, upon the basis of respect for the resolutions contained in the American Convention on Human Rights and the Inter-American Democratic Charter as international legal instruments which guarantee democratic order and citizens' rights.