Recommend to Correa Government Respect Diversity of Opinion

Comité Coordinador de Organizaciones de Libertad de Prensa

Last December 9^th, the Coordinating Committee of Organizations of Press Freedom warned of a “progressive loss of fundamental rights” in Ecuador and presented a series of recommendations to the government to respect freedom of speech and press, such as the decriminalization of defamation and the removal of criminal charges, whether it’s by fines or imprisonment.

“Whereas there is a disinformation campaign of the Ecuadorian government to damage the reputation and discredit individuals and organizations that promote and defend the human rights and freedom of expression in that country, the Coordinating Committee resolved (…) called on President Rafael Correa and his government officials to accept criticism and democratic debate with full respect and tolerance for diversity of ideas and opinions.” according to the resolution.

On the other hand, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), one of the members of the Coordinating Committee expressed its solidarity with Catalina Botero, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression after she was accused by Correa for favoring Fundamedios organization and also alleged that the organization has contracts with Botero of $ 8,000 for the maintenance of their website and conduct two seminars.

(BG)