Caracas, January 31 (RHC-teleSUR) -- The Venezuelan ombudsman, Tarek Williams Saab, explained Friday that new regulations on security matters ensure human rights and safety at demonstrations.

According to Saab, the regulations prohibit security forces from carrying firearms in lawful protests.

Saab dismissed accusations made by the right-wing opposition and some foreign media, who have inaccurately reported that the new regulations will allow soldiers to open fire if “they feel their lives are at risk during demonstrations.”

The ombudsman added that the new law is very clear about the progressive and differentiated use of force by law enforcement, which according to officials creates transparency and accountability to the public.

Meanwhile Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said the opposition wants to decontextualize the newly-codified regulations on the conduct of the armed forces during demonstrations.

Padrino added that regulations were crafted in order to establish clear procedures, following the three months of violent, opposition-led protests last year which left 43 people dead, including a number of members of Venezuela’s security forces.