• Human Rights in Ecuador

    President Rafael Correa has undercut freedom of the press in Ecuador by subjecting journalists and media figures to public denunciation and retaliatory litigation. Judicial independence continues to suffer due to transitional mechanisms for judicial reform that have given the government and its supporters in Congress a powerful say in appointing and dismissing judges.  

  • Ecuador's President Rafael Correa.

    © 2010 Reuters
    Ecuador: End Assault on Free Speech
    The Communications Law that the Ecuadorian National Assembly approved on June 14, 2013, seriously undermines free speech. The law includes overly broad language that will limit the free expression of journalists and media outlets.
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Ecuador

  • Ecuador: Fully Respect Refugee Rights
    Jun 20, 2013

    Ecuador should ensure that all asylum procedures fully respect the basic rights of refugees under international law, Human Rights Watch said in a letter sent today, World Refugee Day, to President Rafael Correa.

  • Letter to President Correa on Refugee Rights
    Jun 20, 2013
  • Ecuador: End Assault on Free Speech
    Jun 17, 2013
    The Communications Law that the Ecuadorian National Assembly approved on June 14, 2013, seriously undermines free speech. The law includes overly broad language that will limit the free expression of journalists and media outlets.
  • Ecuador: Official Misrepresents Human Rights Watch Position
    Mar 6, 2012
    An interview with Ecuador’s communications minister, Fernando Alvarado, in the March 4, 2012 edition of the official newspaper El Ciudadano flagrantly distorted what happened during a recent meeting he had in Washington, DC, with Human Rights Watch.
  • Letter to Peruvian Government on Involuntary Detention of People with Drug Dependence
    Feb 23, 2012
    Human Rights Watch believes that provisions in Peruvian law that permit involuntary detention for treatment of people who suffer from addiction threaten fundamental human rights protections against arbitrary detention and ill-treatment and for the right to health and are contrary to sound public health policy.
  • Universal Periodic Review of Ecuador
    Nov 21, 2011
    In a referendum held in May 2011, President Rafael Correa obtained a popular mandate to reform the Ecuadorian justice system, a recommendation accepted by Ecuador during the previous UPR cycle. However, the language of the approved reforms could significantly increase the government’s powers to influence the appointment and dismissal of judges.Other serious concerns not addressed by the UPR recommendations of 2008 include the fact that government authorities have undermined free expression by using criminal defamation laws, by arbitrarily forcing TV and radio stations to air presidential speeches, and by failing to adopt regulations to grant official advertisement.
  • Ecuador: Decriminalize Defamation
    Nov 14, 2011
    Ecuador should repeal insult laws (desacato) and all norms that criminalize defamation of public officials and institutions
  • Ecuador: A Blow to Free Speech
    Jul 21, 2011
    The conviction of President Rafael Correa’s critics for criminal defamation violates Ecuador’s international human rights obligations and should be overturned on appeal. Ecuador should abolish the defamation provisions in its criminal code.
  • Ecuador: Don’t Prosecute President’s Critics
    Mar 31, 2011
    President Rafael Correa’s efforts to prosecute his critics for defamation under criminal law is a serious blow to free expression in Ecuador. Ecuador should repeal the defamation provisions in its criminal code.
  • Ecuador: Drop Plan to Control Civil Society
    Dec 17, 2010
    President Rafael Correa should drop a proposed decree that would unjustifiably impose government control over Ecuador’s nongovernmental organizations, Human Rights Watch said today. The powers it would grant would undermine the groups’ independence and compromise their role as a civil society check on government.
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