Rights Group Faults Chavez

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela's press freedoms and the independence of its courts have eroded under President Hugo Chavez, a leading human rights group said Thursday.

Human Rights Watch said Venezuela's judiciary has been stacked with Chavez allies and noted with concern that about 20 percent of the country's judges are provisional appointees, who could be susceptible to political pressure because they risk being stripped of their appointments for ruling against the government.

Chavez and his supporters "have sought to consolidate power by undermining the independence of the judiciary and the press, institutions that are essential for promoting the protection of human rights," the New York-based rights group said in its world report.

The government did not immediately respond to the report.

Chavez, who was re-elected to six-year term in December, has vowed to steer Venezuela toward socialism but insists his government respects the independence of the courts and the press.

After taking office in 1999, Chavez launched far-reaching judicial reforms under which hundreds of judges accused of corruption were fired and replaced by provisional ones eager to keep their positions. In 2004, pro-Chavez lawmakers expanded the Supreme Court, naming 12 new justices in what opponents called a government ploy to gain sway over the court.

Human Rights Watch also said a series of ill-defined laws passed since 2004 have put "onerous restrictions on the media that pose a serious threat to freedom of expression."

One of those laws restricts violence and sexual content over the airwaves. Critics have dubbed it the "gag law," saying it is deliberately vague and could be used to punish media that criticize the oppose government.

In recent days, Chavez has faced sharp criticism for his decision not to renew the broadcast license of opposition-aligned Radio Caracas Television, or RCTV. The Organization of American States, Reporters Without Borders and Catholic Church officials have called the move a threat to free expression.

Chavez has long had confrontational relationship with Venezuela's private media, most of which are harshly critical of his administration. Chavez accuses RCTV of supporting a 2002 coup that briefly unseated him and other subversive actions.

Human Rights Watch also denounced summary killings by police and soldiers, and abuse in Venezuela's overcrowded prisons _ problems that have plagued the country for decades.

It also criticized some anti-Chavez forces, noting that some landlords have been accused of hiring hit men to kill poor farmers who tried to take advantage of land reform measures introduced by Chavez.