Freedom of Expression

Ecuador

Quote of the day

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and expression. This right includes freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing, in print, in the form of art, or through any other medium of one's choice

Article 13 of the American Convention of Human Rights

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Aggression and Threats

 

1.      In August 2001, the Rapporteur’s office was informed about the existence of a group called the “White Legion” that had made death threats against several individuals and groups in Ecuador, including several journalists, for opposing Ecuador’s involvement in the Plan Colombia.[1]

 

Judicial Actions

 

2.      In July 2001, Fernando Rosero, a deputy for the Ecuadorian Roldosista Party (PRE), filed two lawsuits against Jorge Vivanco Mendieta, assistant editor of the Guayaquil daily Expreso.  These legal actions were based on a report in which the journalist had criticized armed forces generals for not asserting their right of defense against Rosero’s accusations regarding the scandal surrounding to the purchase of weapons from Argentina in 1995 while the country was at war with Peru.  The two suits included a civil action for libel and insults, in which the deputy sought damages totaling USD $1,000,000, and a criminal action.[2]

 

3.      On July 25, 2001, Malena Cardona Batallas, a journalist with Televisión Manabita in Portoviejo, was sentenced to a month in jail and a fine of 80 sucres for “serious nonlibelous insults” against Deputy Roberto Rodríguez.  Mr. Rodríguez filed suit against her because, during an interview, she had asked him about his alleged involvement in a case of fraud.  The sentence was upheld on appeal in December 2001.  As of the date of this report, the sentence has not been carried out.  In December 2001, the journalist informed the Rapporteur’s office of her intention to file an appeal with the Supreme Court of Justice.  Other journalists—including Margarita Pérez of Metropolitano, Miriam Chávez of La Hora Manabita, and Roberth Cedeño of Televisión Manabita—claim to have been verbally threatened by Roberto Rodríguez.[3]

 


[1] This information was provided by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).

[2] This information was provided by the Press and Society Institute (IPYS), an organization for the defense and protection of free expression.

[3] The Rapporteur’s office obtained information about this incident directly from the journalist Malena Cardona. Information was also provided by the Press and Society Institute (IPYS), Reporters without Borders (RSF), the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), and the daily Crónica Roja.