Ecuador: Repression of protests is causing a human rights crisis

[Judi Lynn]

June 21, 2022

President Lasso must address the structural causes of the demonstrations



The repression by President Guillermo Lasso’s government of demonstrations called by Indigenous, trade union and social organisations as part of a national strike since 13 June 2022 is causing a human rights crisis with many reports of harassment, excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, ill-treatment, and criminalisation of protesters, journalists and human rights defenders, Amnesty International said today.

“President Lasso’s regrettable decision to repress the protests is provoking a human rights crisis reminiscent of that of October 2019. To prevent history from repeating itself, the president must cease the repression and address the structural causes of the protests, including addressing the economic crisis and the impact of his policies on the rights of groups most affected by the pandemic, such as Indigenous Peoples and people living in poverty,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International.

Since 14 June the Ecuador Alliance for Human Rights has recorded 79 arrests, 55 injuries and 39 episodes of human rights violations – such as excessive use of force, arbitrary detentions of demonstrators, attacks on journalists and intimidation of civil society organisations – in the context of the authorities’ repression of demonstrations. Other human rights organisations have also warned of cases of ill-treatment and criminalisation. The National Police have also reported incidents of violence by demonstrators.

President Lasso’s regrettable decision to repress the protests is provoking a human rights crisis reminiscent of that of October 2019

Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International

Human rights organisations in Ecuador and Amnesty International documented similar human rights violations during the crackdown on protests in October 2019, and these still remain unpunished.

More:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/06/ecuador-repression-protests-causing-human-rights-crisis/

[Judi Lynn]

1. 'We are here with one idea, one heart': Ecuador's Indigenous groups rally for rights in mass protest

Indigenous leaders have 10 demands including reducing gas prices, halting new mining and gas projects, providing funds for health care and education, and economic relief for millions of families in debt.

June 21, 2022 · 4:00 PM EDT
By Michael Fox

On Monday, thousands of Indigenous people from tribes across Ecuador marched to the capital Quito, marking the eighth consecutive day of protest.

“The people united will never be defeated,” chanted a group of people as they crossed a bridge in the direction of the capital, livestreamed over Facebook by one local news channel.

“We are here with one idea, one heart,” said one leader from the edge of the march alongside a row of burning tires. “We will continue to fight until they respect our rights.”

Indigenous groups are rallying for a range of rights that have been long-neglected in Ecuador; it's turning out to be one of the largest protest movements the country has seen in recent years.

They say many live in chronic poverty and lack basic access to education. Those who live in the Amazon have also been devastated by foreign oil operations, and newer mining projects are also threatening their land.

More:
https://theworld.org/stories/2022-06-21/we-are-here-one-idea-one-heart-ecuador-s-indigenous-groups-rally-rights-mass

[Judi Lynn]

2. Police Use Tear Gas on Protesters in Ecuador

June 21, 2022 6:44 PM
Agence France-Presse



A demonstrator shows a tear gas canister shot by riot police near the House of Ecuadorean Culture in Quito, on June 21, 2022, on the ninth consecutive day of protests against the government.


QUITO, ECUADOR —
Police used tear gas Tuesday to disperse hundreds of Ecuadorans taking part in a ninth day of Indigenous-led fuel price protests the military described as a "grave threat."

Some 500 protesters among thousands who arrived in Quito from around the country in recent days were teargassed as they blockaded a street in the capital with burning tree branches.

They quickly regrouped to march with watery eyes on the CCE culture center — traditionally used by Indigenous people to launch protests but requisitioned by police over the weekend to use as a base.

"The objective of today is to retake the Casa de la Cultura," protester Wilson Mazabanda told AFP before police used mace for a second time to break up the group amid rising tensions and little hope of a negotiated peace.

More:
https://www.voanews.com/a/police-use-tear-gas-on-protesters-in-ecuador-/6627312.html