Washington ( CNN ) -- Venezuela routinely violates human rights , often intimidating or punishing citizens based on their political beliefs , an Organization of American States commission said in a report released Wednesday . The 319-page report by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says a lack of independence by Venezuela 's judiciary and legislature in their dealings with leftist President Hugo Chavez often leads to the abuses . `` The report finds that not all individuals are ensured full enjoyment of their rights irrespective of their positions on government policies , '' the human rights panel said . `` The commission also finds that the punitive power of the state is being used to intimidate or punish people on account of their political opinions . The commission believes that conditions do not exist for human rights defenders and journalists to be able to freely carry out their work . '' Chavez 's critics say his government represses political opponents and the expression of free ideas by jailing critics on trumped-up charges or pulling licenses for TV and radio stations and shutting down newspapers . The Venezuelan Embassy in Washington did not immediately answer telephone and e-mail messages seeking comment . The OAS commission 's report also notes `` the existence of a pattern of impunity in cases of violence , which particularly affects media workers , human rights defenders , trade unionists , participants in public demonstrations , people held in custody , 'campesinos ' ( small-scale and subsistence farmers ) , indigenous people , and women . '' The report gives credit to Chavez 's government for observing citizens ' rights with regard to economic , social and cultural matters . But that does not give the government permission to trample human rights , the panel said . Read the IACHR report . `` The commission emphasizes that observance of other fundamental rights can not be sacrificed for the sake of realizing economic , social and cultural rights in Venezuela , '' the report states . The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is an autonomous panel created by the OAS . The commission consists of seven independent members who act in a personal capacity , without representing a particular country . They are elected by the OAS General Assembly .
Report : Judiciary and legislature lack independence in dealings with president . Comment: President Hugo Chavez 's critics cite trumped-up charges , punishing of media . Chavez credited for observing rights regarding economic , social , cultural matters .