Total opening for the IACHR to investigate the strike

The officials of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) work cautiously to investigate and document alleged violations of fundamental rights committed during indigenous protests.

Total opening for the IACHR to investigate the strike

His arrival was finalized after an invitation made by the national government to the continental agency.

Foreign Minister José Valencia requested, the OAS session, that the experts arrive in the country and personally realize that no abuses were committed. On the first day of work, the researchers were divided into several fronts.

Some met, behind closed doors, with the defense ministers, Oswaldo Jarrín, and with members of the FF.AA.

The Minister explained that the military’s action was to support the tasks of police control and that they did not go out with weapons to watch the streets. In another sector of the city, the members of the Inter-American Commission received a report from the Minister of the Government, María Paula Romo.

Then they heard the Minister of Culture, Juan Fernando Velasco, and the representatives of the Presidency of the Republic and the Education and Health portfolios. In addition, they spoke with the State Comptroller, Pablo Celi, with whom they toured the building that was burned during the strike.

Meanwhile, a third team listened to people who wanted to give their testimony, about the aggressions they say were victims during the 12 days of mobilizations.

One of them was Julio Toroche, who lost his left eye, presumably from the police attack.

He said that on October 11 he was helping to rescue the wounded in the protest, when the riot vehicle advanced against the protesters. At that moment he felt a strong impact on his face.

A member of the Commission explained that they set up a Swissôtel lounge, north of the city, to conduct interviews with citizens who feel disadvantaged, as well as delegates from social organizations.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will also record the version of uniformed persons who were injured or were held by the protesters. The general of the Police, Tanya Varela, spoke with the experts of the IACHR to organize the arrival of the uniformed so that they deliver their testimonies.

It is expected that only one group, of the more than 400 gendarmes who were injured during the strike, go to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. In that sense, the Vice President of the Republic, Otto Sonnenholzner, asked the commissioners to also receive the testimonies of business owners and people affected by unemployment.

“Let everything be seen. To people who could not work for 12 days; those who did not receive drinking water or could not be treated urgently because they did not let the ambulances circulate, ”he said.

With that purpose Rodrigo Gómez de la Torre arrived at the Inter-American Commission on behalf of the Chamber of Agriculture of the country. The businessman said that “at the time that roads were blocked, businesses were closed and jobs were paralyzed, the rights of all Ecuadorians were affected.”

Gomez also recalled the attacks that journalists and the media received, such as Teleamazonas and El Comercio. Nayra Chalán, leader of the Conaie, reported that the meeting with the commissioners is scheduled today.

The indigenous movement promotes complaints of the alleged violations of DD. H H. The investigation will also be carried out in Guayaquil, Cuenca and Latacunga and will last until 30 this month, but there is still no date for the final report.

https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/politica/3/paro-contraloria-gobierno