GENEVA - UN experts* today expressed concern about a serious deterioration of fundamental freedoms and civic space and the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Ecuador, which has been deepened by the State response to the national protests, and include restrictions on the rights to association, assembly, and expression.
"This pattern of attacks seems designed to silence civil society organisations and Indigenous Peoples. These measures include, among others, reports of freezing of bank accounts without a court order, following the adoption of the Law of Social Transparency, which stigmatises and criminalises the social sector," the experts said.
The Constitutional Court has also been subjected to harassment and persecution by being declared an enemy of the people and subject to reputational attacks, the experts noted.
On 22 September, a national strike was launched to protest the removal of the diesel subsidy, the increase in value-added tax, the implementation of extractive projects without prior, free and informed consent from Indigenous Peoples, and the enactment of the Law on Protected Natural Areas, the experts expressed.
"The Ecuadorian authorities responded to this strike with unnecessary and disproportionate use of force, including tear gas and lethal ammunition," they said.
The military response to social protests, together with the recurrent declaration of states of emergency since January 2024, several of them declared unconstitutional in whole or in part by the Court, are incompatible with the State's obligation to protect and facilitate the right to peaceful assembly," they said.
The experts noted reports that during the strike there has been at least three people killed, 282 injured, 172 arrested and 15 forcibly disappeared.
The majority of these reported human rights violations were registered in Imbabura and Pichincha, two Ecuadorian provinces with the largest indigenous populations.
The experts noted that the authorities attempted to associate the national protests with terrorist acts linked to organized crime without sufficient evidence. That designation reportedly led to the arrest of several individuals on charges of crimes of terrorism, injury or instigation.
"We call for an end to the improper use of force, for open channels of genuine and plural dialogue and consultation with civil society, Indigenous Peoples and social movements, to guarantee due process for those detained, investigate allegations of human rights violations, before and during the demonstration, and ensure accountability," the experts said.
"Justice for the human rights violations that are taking place should be done, and steps must be taken to ensure they do not happen again." they said.
The experts have been in contact with the Government of Ecuador regarding these concerns.
