Understanding National Identity, Rights, and Venezuelan Law
National Identity
National identity refers to the material, immaterial, moral, and spiritual interests of a nation. Its knowledge, love, and solidarity in defense make time and space, life and death, to the core population that makes it up. Dr. Maritza Montero defines national identity “as a set of meanings and representations, permanent throughout time, which allows members of a social group to share a common history and territory as well as other socio-cultural factors such as language, religion, customs, and social institutions and recognized as being related to each other. This identity includes relationships with those who are not living by signing these conditions, i.e. Extranational, possessing a distinct identity.”
What Does Religion Mean to You?
For me, religion represents an important part as it is the faith that one has in God, and this is reflected in us every day, either through our actions with our partners as to any person. Religion is what makes us believe in something, as if not believing in anything, we would be empty, and people would not have a specific purpose in life.
Rights and Duties
Duty is understood as everything that is required to perform this, that is: being a good citizen, being a good son, etc.
Right refers to all laws and regulations that determine the relationships between people: the right to education, the right to a family, etc.
Venezuelan Constitutional Articles on Human Rights
Article 21: Equality Before the Law
All persons are equal before the law, and accordingly:
- Discrimination based on race, sex, creed, social status, or those that, in general, have as their object or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise, on equal rights and freedoms of everyone is not allowed.
- The law shall guarantee legal and administrative conditions for equality before the law to be real and effective, and take positive action on behalf of persons or groups who may be discriminated, marginalized, and vulnerable, especially protect those individuals that for some of the conditions before specified, are in obviously vulnerable circumstances and punish any abuse or ill-treatment perpetrated against them.
- Treatment will only be the official citizen, except for diplomatic formulas.
- Titles of nobility or hereditary distinctions are not recognized.
Article 23: Human Rights Treaties
The treaties, pacts, and conventions on human rights signed and ratified by Venezuela have constitutional rank and prevail over internal legislation, in half as they contain provisions concerning the enjoyment and exercise more favorable than those established by this Constitution and the law of the Republic, and are immediately and directly applied by the courts and other bodies of the public.
Article 29: Punishment of Human Rights Crimes
The State is obliged to investigate and legally punish human rights crimes committed by its authorities.
Actions to punish crimes against humanity, gross violations of human rights, and war crimes are barred. Human rights violations and crimes against humanity are investigated and tried by ordinary courts. Such offenses are excluded from the benefits that might render the punishment, including pardons and amnesty.
Article 57: Freedom of Expression
Everyone has the right to freely express their thoughts, ideas, or opinions orally, in writing, or any other form of expression, and to make use of any means of communication and dissemination, but may establish censorship. Anyone making use of this right assumes full responsibility for everything expressed. Anonymity is not allowed, nor war propaganda, or discriminatory messages or those promoting religious intolerance.
Censorship is prohibited to public officials or public servants to account for matters within their responsibilities.
Article 58: Freedom of Communication
Communication is free and plural, and involves the duties and responsibilities prescribed by law. Everyone has the right to timely, truthful, and impartial information, without censorship, in accordance with the principles of this Constitution and the right of reply and rectification when directly affected by inaccurate or offensive information. Children and adolescents are entitled to receive adequate information for their overall development.
Article 59: Freedom of Religion
The State guarantees freedom of religion and worship. Everyone has the right to profess their religious faith and worship and express their beliefs in private or public, by teaching and other practices, if not contrary to morals, good customs, and public order. Independence and autonomy of churches and religious denominations are also guaranteed, with no limitations other than those arising under this Constitution and the law. The father and mother are entitled to have their sons and daughters receive religious education that is in accord with their convictions.
No one may invoke religious beliefs or discipline to avoid compliance with the law or to prevent one or other of the exercise of their rights.