The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on Sunday took precautionary measures in favor of presidential candidate Christian Zurita Ron and members of his campaign team, such as Andrea González Nader, Ramón López Cobeña and Carlos Figueroa Figueroa, because it believes that “they are in a serious and urgent situation and risk irreparable damage to their rights in Ecuador.”
On August 18, Ignacio Boulin and Zurita requested precautions from the IACHR and were alleged to be in danger after replacing Fernando Villavicencio, who was killed on August 9 after leaving a political rally in Quito. The threats would have continued, such as an attack on the campaign headquarters, but also selective robberies and threat messages, among other things.
The IACHR states in a statement that the alleged facts have been taken into account and received additional information from the applicants a day later. In addition, the context in Ecuador was considered to be “the worsening of social tensions, the deterioration of civilian security with serious acts of violence related to organized crime and prisons, and the increase in political violence in the country.”
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Other aspects considered were the journalist’s journalistic activities and complaints of corruption and organized crime, and that this would place him at a level of risk similar to that of Villavicencio.
The Commission requested the Ecuadorian state to take the necessary measures to protect the personal integrity of the candidate and the people of his campaign team.
In the same way, the necessary measures are taken so that he can carry out journalistic activities without being subjected to intimidation, threats or other acts of violence, as well as those of the political party of which he is a member.
Finally, it requested a report on the actions to investigate the alleged facts that led to the adoption of the precautionary measure and prevent its recurrence.
“The Commission did not consider it necessary to request additional information as, given the circumstances described and the context verified by the Commission, the alleged risk would be imminent and the applicants have provided information that the State would be aware of the situation alleged under the current context, since they would have already turned out to the detriment of Mr. Villavicencio, whose successor is the current proposed beneficiary, “was explained.
On Saturday night, the Construye movement asked President Guillermo Lasso and the Attorney General’s Office to intervene effectively to guarantee the presidential candidate’s life, despite a message of “direct intimidation”.
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Source: Eluniverso
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