Yes, Ecuadorian Lives Matter

 

photo: Douglas Solis


Minorities and the most vulnerable in Ecuadorian society suffer disproportionately under the oppression of multinationals, organised crime, armed forces, narco-politics, corruption, poverty, austerity, neoliberalism and ineffective public services.

The concerns and human rights of women, children, the elderly, the indigenous nations within Ecuador, disabled people and people who have health conditions, the LGBTQIA+ community, prisoners, journalists, activists & poor neighborhoods are all constantly compromised.

One in three Ecuadorian children suffer from malnutrition.

In 2023, Ecuador’s homicide rate doubled (45 killed for every 100,000), placing the nation amongst the top 3 most violent Latin American countries, alongside Venezuela and Honduras. Extortion by criminal groups also doubled, 4,600 reports made to the National Police in 2023.

Only 30% of Ecuadorians receive the basic minimum wage ($460 a month) or more. (INEC) https://contifico.com/salario-basico-unificado/

74% of Ecuadorians of retirement age do not receive a pension. https://contifico.com/salario-basico-unificado/

In 2023, 224 assaults against journalists & communicators have been recorded and (since 2020) assaults perpetrated by organised crime have risen 870%.

When indigenous people protest to protect their territories from mining, oil exploitation and the lifting of fuel subsidies they are confronted with excessive violence in the hands of armed forces…

Police demonstrate a disregard for human life. (even children).

The media spread disinformation. Others censor authentic voices with fake news, digital sabotage, mobile phone blocking and hate speech.

Oil spills desecrate the lives and livelihoods of indigenous communities.

Multinationals exert their power against those communities. Indigenous people resist. 

The prisons are controlled by the mafia.

Investigating corruption, narco-politics, organised crime, and narco-trafficking is exceptionally dangerous.

The Public Prosecutor's Office is in charge of enforcing anti-corruption laws and prosecuting corruption. The Comptroller General controls, supervises, and audits acts by government employees, and in principle has the power to remove and sanction corrupt individuals and report them to the Public Prosecutor's Office.

United States Ambassador Michael Fitzpatrick acknowledged that officials from at least 4 of the 5 branches of the Ecuadorian State are linked to drug trafficking and acts of corruption. And he knows of 30 prosecutors and 24 Ecuadorian judges investigated for corruption crimes or links to organized crime.

Assembly members and judges are corrupt.

Despite, so much evidence of violations of the Human Rights of Ecuadorian people, beyond the obvious newsworthy events, the collective reality of how Ecuadorian lives suffer under such conditions is “under-reported” globally, particularly in the English language.

We hope to readdress that by creating the book: The Big Picture: Ecuadorian Lives Matter

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