Ludford welcomes delegation from Venezuela

10.21.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 1st May 2007

Sarah welcomed a delegation from Venezuela to the European Parliament on April 25th to discuss restrictions to freedom of speech and information there. She is pictured with the chairman of RCTV television and radio broadcaster Dr Marcel Granier, who described how the government of Hugo Chavez had ordered the closure of his opposition-supporting station from May 27th. He was accompanied by representatives of the party 'Primo Justizia'.

Said Sarah; "We have pledged to support a human rights resolution in the European Parliament to urge action against the authoritarian measures adopted by Hugo Chavez to silence dissenters in his country. If there is any case for criminal prosecution against broadcasters, then that should be done openly and according to the rule of law. It is a pity that London mayor Ken Livingstone is so ready to use London taxpayers' money to consort with a leader whose democratic commitment is so shallow.