Amnesty International calls for Ecuador’s presidential candidates to prioritize human rights in response to ongoing abuses amidst the upcoming runoff vote scheduled for April 13, 2025. Key issues highlighted include recent allegations of forced disappearances and unlawful military operations during President Noboa’s term. Candidates are urged to present policies addressing these significant concerns during their final debate on March 23.
Amnesty International urged presidential candidates in Ecuador to prioritize human rights in an open letter issued prior to the tie-breaking vote scheduled for April 13, 2025. Concerns over human rights violations have been persistent, with various international entities highlighting issues in the country over the years.
The tie in the February 9th presidential election was between incumbent President Daniel Noboa, who has been in office since November 2023, and challenger Luisa González. Under Noboa’s administration, multiple human rights and rule of law issues emerged, particularly a 60-day state of emergency declared in May 2024 despite a Constitutional Court ruling deeming the prior emergency unconstitutional.
Throughout 2024, there were serious allegations against Noboa’s government, including mass arrests, extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances. Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed concern over Noboa’s classification of the situation as an “internal armed conflict,” asserting it had no legal basis and could lead to further human rights violations.
In December 2024, four boys aged 11 to 15 were reportedly forcibly disappeared by military personnel, prompting the Human Rights Commission to petition the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, despite the government denying these claims.
Amnesty International’s letter highlighted these troubling allegations and called for candidates to propose policies that align with human rights standards. The letter specifically questioned the candidates on how they would address military operations linked to forced disappearances and what measures they would take to alleviate prison crisis situations known to include torture.
The candidates will hold their final debate on March 23, leading up to the crucial back-to-back voting on April 13, where they will have the opportunity to address these human rights concerns before the electorate.
Amnesty International has spotlighted vital human rights issues in Ecuador, urging presidential candidates to clearly define their policies in response to allegations of abuses, including forced disappearances and torture. The upcoming debates and election outcomes are critical, as they determine whether these concerns will be accurately addressed by future leadership.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
