The Ombudsman’s Office initiated an investigation into police action in the marches for Women’s Day

The Ombudsman, through a statement, expressed concern for the actions of police officers who They repressed people during the mobilizations of March 8in commemoration of International Women’s Day.

The night of the events Mechanism for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Based on Gender of the Ombudsman coordinated tasks with the delegations of Pichincha and Guayas. From there, the actions to be followed in each case were evaluated and “A criminal investigation was launchedin order to guarantee and protect the human rights of the alleged victims,” the institution reported.

Incidents are reported in marches for Women’s Day, in Guayaquil, Quito and Cuenca

The Ombudsman pointed out that The Constitution guarantees the right to associate, meet and demonstrate freely and voluntarily. And he reminded the authorities that article 9 of the Organic Law to Prevent and Eradicate Violence against Women establishes, among other aspects, “the right to a life free of violence in the public and private spheres and the rights of freedom to demonstrate and express themselves”.

In order to clarify the facts, the National Institution of Human Rights He announced that the defense units will remain alert and will take the pertinent actions. If this is the case, sanctions will be imposed through the competent authorities, the Ombudsman pointed out.

Police say they acted in order to “preserve public order and general welfare” during the marches for Women’s Day

In Quito, the mobilization for Women’s Day ended in clashes with the police, that blocked the access of women who wanted to reach the Plaza Grande, in the historic center. The protesters, some with lighted torches, tried to access knocking down the chain-link fences and spraying paint to the shields of the agents.

The uniformed officers dispersed the crowd using pepper spray and with the support of the Mounted Police. In addition, during the crackdown, agents they hit with their batons To several people. These facts were disseminated on social networks, through videos and photographs.

The director of the Opinion Profiles pollster, Paulina Recalde, and her daughter were also attacked. Recalde denounced the attack through his Twitter account and published a photograph of the mark left on his back due to the blow. “Pepper gas and batons to my daughter and me for marching in Quito on 8M. The police do not care in my country, violent, ”she claimed.

The National Police spoke out this Wednesday about what happened and explained that a group of people tried to enter areas that were restricted. what happened “with the purpose of safeguarding public order and general welfare.” (I)