An international human rights group is urging the government of Venezuela to protect an activist who has called attention to alleged rights violations in the country's prisons.

Human Rights Watch said Monday the government should take steps to protect Humberto Prado, who has received multiple threats.

The Costa Rica-based Inter-American Court of Human Rights ordered the government President Hugo Chavez in 2009 to protect Prado. The court said the activist was at grave risk.

Human Rights Watch said Caracas has failed to comply with the court's order.

Prado is the director of the Venezuelan Observatory of Prisons. He has angered officials by criticizing their handling of riots at two prisons.