Amnesty International Urges Ecuadorian Candidates to Prioritize Human Rights

Amnesty International has called upon Ecuador’s presidential candidates to address human rights concerns ahead of the tie-breaking election on April 13, 2025. The letter highlights issues emerging during President Noboa’s term, including mass arrests and forced disappearances. Notably, candidates are asked to propose policies that respect human rights in light of ongoing violations.

Amnesty International has urged Ecuador’s presidential candidates to confront human rights issues in an open letter released on Friday, ahead of the crucial run-off vote scheduled for April 13, 2025. There have been numerous international concerns over potential human rights violations in Ecuador over the years.

The recent presidential election on February 9 resulted in a tie between President Daniel Noboa, who has been in office since November 2023, and Luisa González. Various issues regarding the rule of law and human rights have surfaced during Noboa’s presidency. Notably, in May 2024, he imposed a new 60-day state of emergency despite a Constitutional Court ruling deeming his previous one unconstitutional. Allegations of mass arrests, extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances have arisen throughout 2024.

In a letter from Human Rights Watch (HRW) dated May 2024, concerns were raised about Noboa’s declaration of an “internal armed conflict,” which was deemed to lack a legal foundation and provided a potential avenue for human rights abuses. HRW urged the Ecuadorian government to implement policies consistent with human rights.

A troubling incident in December 2024, involving the forced disappearance of four boys aged 11 to 15 by the military, prompted the Human Rights Commission to file a petition with the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances. Meanwhile, the Ecuadorian government has denied these allegations.

Amnesty International’s letter specifically addresses these allegations, emphasizing the need for candidates to propose human rights-compliant policies. The letter poses significant questions regarding the candidates’ plans to ensure security policies respect human rights and their strategies for managing reported acts of torture and prison crises.

The final debate between the presidential candidates is scheduled for March 23, leading up to the decisive tie-breaking vote on April 13.

In conclusion, Amnesty International’s appeal highlights the pressing need for Ecuador’s presidential candidates to prioritize human rights issues. The ongoing concerns surrounding extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and torture require immediate attention from the candidates to ensure that public policy aligns with human rights standards. The upcoming debate and election are critical opportunities for candidates to address these issues comprehensively.

Original Source: www.jurist.org