A Venezuelan Christian leader and human rights defender is facing severe health risks in prison, after nearly five years of detention without adequate medical care.
Bishop Dr Jylman Red Jurado Farfán, who was arrested on 30th July 2021, is being held in Rodeo III Prison, Miranda State.
According to anti-persecution organisation Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), he was initially summoned under the pretext of discussing an academic project, but was subsequently detained on charges of terrorism, criminal association, and conspiracy.
Authorities claim his civic education work was an attempt to destabilise the state.
Prior to his arrest, Bishop Jurado Farfán led a social ministry, including offering free legal assistance to political prisoners and managing community soup kitchens. Authorities labelled his activity “political confrontation.”
Bishop Jurado Farfán was able to communicate to CSW that his health is “poor”. Specialists warn that he is at risk of hypovolemic shock and cardiac arrest. He is currently suffering from atypical pneumonia, intercostal neuritis, and both upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
The bishop has also experienced severe depression, following the deaths of his mother and grandmother during his detention.
Despite at least six court orders mandating his urgent transfer for medical evaluation, prison authorities have failed to comply. CSW states that this disregard for legal orders amounts to cruel and unlawful punishment, violating Bishop Jurado Farfán’s rights to life and physical integrity.
The bishop’s legal case has been plagued by irregularities, with the case file withheld for ten months and the trial suspended after nearly two years of hearings with no conclusive evidence presented.
Bishop Jurado Farfán said he has been harassed and mocked for his faith whilst in prison, and denied access to religious materials and spiritual support. For ten days, he was confined in an isolation cell known as “La Luciérnaga” (“The Firefly”), where he witnessed inhumane and degrading treatment, including physical and psychological torture – because he dared to stand up for his fellow inmates’ religious freedom.
Anna Lee Stangl, CSW’s Director of Advocacy and Americas Team Leader, said she is "deeply concerned" about the bishop's wellbeing.
"We call on the government of Venezuela to guarantee his immediate release in light of the absence of lawful evidence against him, and the flagrant violation of his right to effective judicial protection," she stated. "Furthermore we urge Venezuela to end the criminalisation and prosecution of religious leaders who carry out their prophetic mission in defense of human dignity, and to respect the right to freedom of conscience and religion or belief within the prison system, as established under the Nelson Mandela Rules.”