Human Rights Watch is concerned about the weakening of judicial independence in Ecuador

So it was revealed by the organization during the presentation of its annual report, at its headquarters in London, under a heading of the chapter on Ecuador which states: “President Rafael Correa has undermined speech freedom in Ecuador by exposing journalists and characters of public media to public accusations and judicial prosecution. ”

“There is some good news, some progress, but there are also matters of concern to us,” said the director for the Americas of the Organization, Jose Miguel Vivanco.

Jose Miguel Vivanco

According to Vivanco, Rafael Correa’s government maintains legal proceedings against journalists and media owners, while judicial independence has been compromised by “interference” of the executive power in the appointment of judges.

During the presentation, Vivanco also complained that the government of Hugo Chavez has a “complete” concentration of power in Venezuela, Cuba remains the most repressive country in Latin America and impunity reigns in Mexico.

Also described as “a huge mistake” that Latin America has “distinguished” Cuba this week with the presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac for its Spanish acronym), although “it is a totalitarian regime,” and warned of the situation in Venezuela. “What should be a democratic regime with separation of powers, does not exists … the Supreme Court has absolutely no credibility and is an appendage of the executive power.”

On the other hand, the Organization HRW welcomed progress in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile to bring justice for the “atrocities” committed in past dictatorships.