Ecuador: Relationship between the government and indigenous people and those acting on their behalf or perceived to be acting on their behalf particularly in relation to land claims (1995-April 2002)

The relationship between Ecuador's government and indigenous peoples is largely reported on within the context of strikes, demonstrations and marches. In early 2001 and early 2002, indigenous communities were involved in numerous marches, demonstrations, and strikes, many of which turned violent (IPS 26 Jan. 2001; ibid. 1 Mar. 2002; Weekly News Update 28 Jan. 2001) and one of which is reported to have resulted in several deaths (ibid. 11 Feb. 2001). None were reported to be specifically linked to indigenous land claims, although several involved the impact of industrial development on lands otherwise occupied by indigenous peoples (Amazon Watch 27 Jan. 2002; IPS 1 Mar. 2002; Country Reports 2001 2002, sec. 6).

IPS reported that, in response to a government-announced increase in fuel prices in December 2000, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) and other "social organizations" staged a protest on 24 January 2001 (26 Jan. 2001). Army and police forces reportedly "clashed" with indigenous protestors at a roadblock in Latacunga, Cotopaxi province, resulting in injuries, one which was reported as serious (ibid.). In response to the "crackdown" by security forces, protests "escalated through the Ecuadorian sierra" (ibid.). IPS reported that, between 22 and 26 January, more than 100 indigenous protestors had been arrested throughout Ecuador (ibid.). Protests continued throughout January, and the Weekly News Update reported on indigenous-led roadblocks, extensive property damage and food shortages (28 Jan. 2001).

The Weekly News Update also noted that, "the day after his soldiers shot indigenous people in Latacunga," President Noboa gave the Shuar indigenous communities in the Amazon region "$8.5 million for public works and $600,000 for a 150 rural housing project, potable water distribution and latrines" (ibid.).

On 30 January 2001, "plainclothes military intelligence agents" reportedly abducted Antonio Vargas Huatatoca, the president of CONAIE, who was involved in organizing the January "uprising" (ibid. 5 Feb. 2001a). Several other leaders were arrested on the same day (ibid.). All those arrested were reportedly released on 1 February (ibid.).

The Weekly News Update provides a chronology of the events of late January and the early days of February 2001 (5 Feb. 2001b). According to this report, over 5,000 indigenous peoples and campesinos who had converged on Quito stayed in the stadium of the Salesian Politechnic University (ibid.). The government reportedly cut off their water and electricity supply and attempted to stop protestors from leaving the stadium by using tear-gas (ibid.).

With the country largely shut down by 31 January, the government entered into negotiations with protest leaders, but on 2 February CONAIE reportedly "broke off the dialogue process, saying that the government was refusing to budge from its positions and was not taking the talks seriously" (ibid.). The government, on 2 February 2001, then declared a state of emergency (ibid.; CRE Satelital 5 Feb. 2001).

According to a report on the CRE Satelital radio Website, "about" 15 people had been wounded in the first days of the state of emergency (5 Feb. 2001). On 5 February, soldiers reportedly shot on a crowd of indigenous protestors in Tena, Napo province, killing "at least" three people and injuring 23 (Weekly News Update 11 Feb. 2001). Country Reports 2001 provides further details of these days of February, and reports that between 29 January and 7 February, "as many as nine persons died" (2002, sec. 1a and sec. 6). Talks resumed between protest leaders and the government on 6 February and a tentative agreement was reached that day (Weekly News Update 11 Feb. 2001). At this point, demonstrations subsided, and according to Country Reports 2001, between February and December 2001 indigenous demonstrations were minimal while talks proceeded slowly (2002, sec. 6).

From January to April 2002, the relationship between the government and indigenous peoples in Ecuador is largely reported on within the context of ongoing disputes over oil exploration and extraction and pipeline construction, and the potential impacts on the environment and indigenous communities (Amazon Watch 27 Jan. 2002; IPS 1 Mar. 2002). In late February, the government again declared a state of emergency in Sucumbios and Orellana provinces because of growing protests against the construction of a crude oil pipeline (IPS 1 Mar. 2002). Protestors were reportedly demanding money for development initiatives (ibid.; Reuters 4 Mar. 2002) "as a means of reparations for the social and environmental damages that the pipeline will cause" (IPS 1 Mar. 2002). Unofficial sources quoted by IPS estimated that "two children and two adults" died because of the violence in the area (ibid.), while Reuters reported one death (4 Mar. 2002).

On 4 March 2002, the government and the protesting groups reached an agreement, which committed the government to agricultural and infrastructure investment in the area, resulting in the state of emergency being lifted (ibid.; Latinamerica Press 25 Mar. 2002).

Further reports of protests and demonstrations focusing on the interests of indigenous peoples could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

For information on the treatment of indigenous communities prior to 2001, please consult chapter IX of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights' Report of the Situation of Human Rights in Ecuador, entitled "Human Rights Issues of Special Relevance to the Indigenous Inhabitants of the Country" (1997), Country Reports 2000 (2001) and 1999 (2000), ECU34112.E of 30 March 2000 and ECU34429.E of 25 May 2000.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Amazon Watch. 27 January 2002. "Indigenous Nations Oppose Ecuador's Ninth Round of Oil Licensing." [Accessed 16 April 2002]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. 2002. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. [Accessed 15 Apr. 2002]

_____. 2001. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. [Accessed 15 Apr. 2002]

CRE Satelital [Guayaquil, in Spanish]. 5 February 2001. "Fifteen Wounded Since Declaration of State of Emergency." (BBC Worldwide Monitoring/NEXIS)

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Organization of American States. 24 April 1997. Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Ecuador, Chapter IX: Human Rights Issues of Special Relevance to the Indigenous Inhabitants of the Country. [Accessed 15 Apr. 2002]

Inter Press Service (IPS). 1 March 2002. Kintto Lucas. "Protests and Repression Heat Up the Northeast." (NEXIS)

_____. 26 January 2001. Kintto Lucas. "Protests Intensify in Response to Crackdown." (NEXIS)

Latinamerican Press [Lima]. 25 March 2002. Vol. 34, No. 6. "Strikers Protest Pipeline."

Reuters. 4 March 2002. "Ecuador Amazon Protests End; Army Control Lifted." [Accessed 16 Apr. 2002]

Weekly News Update on the Americas, Nicaragua Solidarity Network of Greater New York [New York]. 5 February 2001a. Issue 575. "Grassroots Leader Arrested."

_____. 5 February 2001b. Issue 575. "Uprising Meets with Repression."

_____. 28 January 2001. Issue 574. "Soldiers Shoot Protestors."

_____. 11 February 2001. Issue 576. "Ecuador: Police Kill Protestors."

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

World News Connection (WNC)

Internet Sites including:

Amnesty International

Derechos – Human Rights

Human Rights Watch

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Organization of American States (OAS)

United Nations Human Rights High Commission, Treaty Body Database

Amazon Watch and RainForest Action Network