IACHR stresses call for dialogue to prevent human rights violations in Ecuador

October 14, 2025

Washington, DC—The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression remain alert in the face of potential human rights violations, given the escalation of violence during a general strike in Ecuador. The IACHR and its Special Rapporteurship stress that social protests are protected by the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of association and are an essential component of democracy, since the latter requires effective channels for dialogue.

Since September 15, 2025, indigenous and social organizations and trade unions have been demonstrating in several Ecuadorian cities against diesel subsidy cutbacks announced by the government. Protests have included road blockades, marches, and rallies and have been especially intense in Otavalo and Imbabura. On September 16, in response to the protests, the government declared a state of emergency in seven provinces, based on “serious internal unrest,” and mobilized all resources in the executive, the Armed Forces, and the National Police.

During the protests, the IACHR received worrying reports alleging an excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies, as well as reports of acts of violence that are not protected by the right to protest blamed on certain demonstration participants. The IACHR condemns the death in clashes of indigenous kichwa man Efraín Fueres on September 28 in Cotacachi, which is under investigation by the Office of the Attorney General. So far, based on reports by several civil society organizations, at least 100 people have been injured, 100 have been arrested, 12 have gone missing, and a further 12 have been charged for allegedly perpetrating acts of terrorism.

The State denounced attacks against its officers, including a humanitarian convoy, and warned that organized crime had infiltrated the demonstrations. Further, the State reported that at least 12 members of the military had been injured and 17 others had been temporarily detained during the violence, as well as noting the presence of armed men who had not been protesting peacefully. On October 7, a presidential convoy that was on its way to hand over works completed by the national government was attacked in Cañar and various objects were thrown at the official vehicles in question. The government said that this had put the president and his fellow travelers in danger.

The State stressed that it recognized social protests as a legitimate form of democratic participation, “as long as they are peaceful and respect the rights of third parties.” In this context, the State said that it had acted in compliance with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and temporality, to protect citizens’ rights. The State further noted that its law enforcement agencies had institutional protocols in place and that the authorities of competent jurisdiction were investigating all allegations of an excessive use of force.

Indigenous social organizations denounced that bank accounts belonging to at least 10 of their leaders had been frozen by the State, which had also launched investigations against 50 of their members over unjust enrichment. These organizations also alleged a lack of judicial guarantees, particularly for indigenous persons who had been arrested and charged with terrorism. The allegations cause concern over a potential abuse of the recently enacted Social Transparency Act to prevent social organizations from protesting.

In this context, the Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression recorded at least 21 instances of assault and harassment against reporters and other media workers who were covering the demonstrations, allegedly perpetrated by both protesters and members of State law enforcement agencies. The Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression was also informed of a 15-day shutdown in the broadcasts of indigenous community media outlet TV MICC, ordered by the Agency to Regulate and Oversee Telecommunications (ARCOTEL) with the argument that it was necessary to preserve public order and national security. The Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression was also informed of alleged telecommunications signal interruptions, including Internet shutdowns.

The State said that the law allowed these measures, and also enabled formal appeal mechanisms. The State told the IACHR that it had in place “a policy of open, inclusive, and intercultural dialogue with various social groups and organizations, complete with mediators and observers,” and stressed that it hoped to resolve tensions democratically. However, the State also made it clear that it would “not tolerate acts of violence or demonstrations that entail violations of the fundamental rights of other individuals or compromise social peace.”

These State actions allegedly affected communities’ ability to get organized and exercise their right to protest, as well as citizens’ right to be informed during social protests. The Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression noted that intrusions in the electromagnetic signals used by certain media outlets could inhibit other media outlets from freely broadcasting information and opinions, for fear of having to face similar consequences.

The IACHR stresses that peaceful protests are a pillar of all democratic societies and need to be protected. Force may only be used in exceptional circumstances, based on the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and accountability, in compliance with the applicable inter-American standards. In this context, the use of firearms in protest control operations is strictly prohibited.

The IACHR urges the State of Ecuador to impartially and diligently investigate allegations of an excessive use of force and to prosecute and punish any officials who may have perpetrated human rights violations.

At the same time, the IACHR stresses that the fact that some protest participants engage in acts of violence does not justify delegitimizing a whole protest or restricting the rights of people who are protesting peacefully. In such cases, law enforcement agencies must act in differentiated ways, isolating individuals who resort to violence and complying with the applicable international human rights standards. The Inter-American Commission condemns all forms of violence and reminds the State that it has a duty to impartially and diligently investigate all acts of violence, ensuring due process and adopting an intercultural perspective in all cases involving indigenous persons.

Finally, the IACHR urges Ecuadorian authorities to engage in genuine, inclusive, and intercultural dialogue with demonstrators, in order to address their demands and solve pending social disputes.

The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 208/25

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