I am aware of recent developments concerning the Ecuadorian non-governmental organisation, Acción Ecológica, and of the difficult situation which currently pertains for environmental rights defenders in Ecuador and in many parts of Latin America today. Environmental degradation and the rights of indigenous communities to be consulted in regard to development projects which affect them have emerged as recurring challenges in the human rights field in the region.
I urge the Government of Ecuador to fully respect the legitimate exercise of freedom of association, as well as the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published a statement in December 2016 regarding the case of Acción Ecológica, criticising the closure of the group by the Ecuadorian authorities and calling for a reversal of the decision. I support the statement made by the OHCHR, an organisation to which Ireland continues to be a leading donor.
Ireland also recently contributed €50,000 to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere. Ireland’s contribution will directly address the backlog of cases being faced by the Commission and in so doing improve the access to justice of those who face human rights violations in the Americas.
My officials will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Ecuador in consultation with our EU and UN partners.
