Amnesty International urges Ecuador’s presidential candidates to prioritize human rights in their policies ahead of the tie-breaking runoff election on April 13, 2025. The letter addresses allegations of forced disappearances and human rights violations under President Noboa’s administration, stressing the need for candidates to clarify their positions on these critical issues.
Amnesty International has urged Ecuador’s presidential candidates to prioritize human rights in their campaigns, releasing an open letter ahead of the tie-breaking runoff election scheduled for April 13, 2025. Concerns surrounding human rights violations have been raised by various international organizations over the years in Ecuador, particularly following the recent presidential election, which ended in a tie between incumbent President Daniel Noboa and challenger Luisa González.
Under President Noboa, who has been in office since November 2023, multiple rule of law and human rights issues have surfaced. A notable concern arose in May 2024 when Noboa declared a new, localized 60-day state of emergency, despite the Constitutional Court deeming the previous declaration unconstitutional. Reports throughout 2024 have indicated widespread allegations of mass arrests, extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances.
In a letter dated May 2024, Human Rights Watch criticized Noboa’s claim of an “internal armed conflict,” arguing it lacked a legal foundation and risked further human rights abuses. HRW emphasized the necessity for policies that uphold human rights standards. The international community continued to scrutinize the government’s actions, particularly following a distressing incident in December 2024, wherein four boys aged 11 to 15 were forcibly disappeared by military personnel, prompting a petition to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances.
Amnesty International’s letter highlights these serious human rights violations and specifically calls on presidential candidates to outline how they will address these issues after being elected. The organization posed critical questions regarding security policies and the treatment of inmates amid reported torture within prisons: “In the face of allegations of forced disappearances and extrajudicial executions in military operations, what will you do to guarantee that your security policies respect human rights?”
Anticipation builds for the final presidential debate between Noboa and González, set for March 23, as voters await responses to these pressing human rights concerns ahead of the critical runoff vote.
In summary, Amnesty International has called for Ecuadorian presidential candidates to address urgent human rights issues in their platforms, particularly those related to forced disappearances and state violence. As the date for the runoff election approaches, it is essential that candidates respond to these concerns to ensure a commitment to protecting human rights in Ecuador. With the final debate scheduled for March 23, the candidates’ positions on these matters will be closely scrutinized by the electorate.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
