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THE American Association of Jurists (AAJ), an NGO with consultative status at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), has "categorically rejected" the US seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker and the "kidnapping of its crew."

A statement from AAJ on December 11 said the seizure on December 10 coincided with the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"It should be noted that it has only been reported that the illegal act was perpetrated off the coast of Venezuela, without specifying whether it was within the territorial sea or in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of that country," the statement said.