U.S. Asked Ecuador to Ensure Free Speech and Highlights Cesar Ricaurte Case

Ecuadorian Journalist Cesar Ricaurte

Today USA put the example of Ecuadorian journalist Cesar Ricaurte, who claims to have received death threats after criticizing the current government of President Rafael Correa, and it asked Ecuador to promote and ensure free speech.

“We urge the Government of Ecuador to guarantee free speech as a vital component of a democratic society and ensure that journalists can operate without fear of threats or punishment”, said deputy spokesman of the State Department, Mark Toner, in his daily press conference.

Journalist Cesar Ricaurte, director of the “outstanding” Fundamedios private organization, has won awards and is “a leading voice in supporting free speech” in Ecuador, said Toner.

After his testimony last year before the Interamerican Commission of Human Rights (CIDH for its spanish acronym), in which he denounced attacks on free speech by the government of Correa, Ricaurte “received death threats,” added the spokesman. (ARL)