The Local Supply and Production Committees under the Human Rights Based Approach

Abstract

The Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAP) were created in early 2016 by the Venezuelan government as a mechanism for the distribution of subsidized food in the context of a serious economic crisis. Conformed by members of community and political organizations related to the government, their actions have been controversial from the beginning, accused of discrimination and clientelism. Despite this, the government defends them as a necessary instrument to guarantee the rights of the most vulnerable population and for being a political tool to win the "economic war" to which it is responsible for the crisis. At the beginning of this year, the CLAPs received a constitutional character due to a controversial assembly, without the effects of the crisis having diminished in the population, nor being clear about their real contribution in the protection of their rights. Therefore, it is essential to review this social program of the Venezuelan government to understand its formulation and know its real contribution to a democratic governance and the defense of the human rights of Venezuelans. The Human Rights Based Approach gives us the tools to achieve this goal.