IACourtHR judges Ecuador by “extrajudicial execution” of a minor in 1992

EFE

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) yesterday held a hearing for the alleged extrajudicial execution of José Luis Ibarra, 16 years old, by an Ecuadorian police officer, a fact that happened in 1992. According to the complaint submitted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) before the Court, the execution of the minor would be in “partial impunity” since his family would not have a received a judicial clarification of the facts. 

The victim’s mother, Vicenta Ibarra, said that the young man was in a public place with some friends when the police officer approached them, he had a quarrel with another teenager whom he hit, and in the moment when Ibarra claimed the officer, he shot him.

On the other hand, the policeman indicates he arrived to that place, fought with one of the young men, but the gun triggered unintentionally, accidentally killing the young man.

A judge in Ecuador condemned the officer for manslaughter, receiving a sentence of eight years in prison, but then, a second judge issued manslaughter and 18 months in prison.

The Commission indicated that the Ecuadorian State violated the principle of reasonable time as it took nine years to give a statement, and had not exhausted the minimum formalities as examination, cross-examination and ballistic tests.

After the hearing is completed, the judges informed the parties that they have a term of up to March 5 to present written submissions. From then, they will proceed to analyze the elements to make a ruling.