Letter of Deep Concern for Human Rights Violations in Ecuador

TO:             Mr Xavier Ponce, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Ecuador
Email:             ministro@magap.gob.ec                                                                     
16 December 2012

Honorable Minister,
 
RE: Violent eviction of ancestral villages in Ecuador’s mangrove ecosystem

 We,
at Mangrove Action Project are deeply shocked and troubled by the news
concerning the violent eviction of local ancestral resource users from
the mangrove ecosystem in Bilsa village, Muisne, Esmeralda province. The
high-handed police action of burning the villagers’ homes and their
assets, even without allowing them time to take away their personal
belongings, and destroying their livelihoods and community projects,
such as small scale farming and crab harvesting, is highly questionable
and reprehensible. There was no mercy even for children and elderly
people, confirming that it was planned with a cruel intent. This action
amounts to unwarranted violation of the human dignity and rights of the
people concerned. It is an action in violation of the Constitution of
Ecuador and international human rights treaties.
These
communities do not represent a threat to the mangrove ecosystem but are
rather stewards and guardians of this vital ecosystem, as their
economic activities are in line with sustainable use and conservation,
and their presence prevents external destructive activities (such as
industrial shrimp farming) from entering the ecosystem. They should be
supported and encouraged instead of humiliated and evicted.
We
express our solidarity with the affected people of Bilsa and we urge
you to use your position to investigate the action of the police and
those responsible for planning this vile action and bring them to
justice. The human rights and dignity of the Bilsa community must be
respected and restored as soon as possible.
We
would also like to take this opportunity to request information about
other evictions of mangrove-dependent local communities that have
recently taken place in Guabo, El Oro Province; in Verdum, Manabi
Province; and in Pechiche, Montanita, Santa Elena Province. 

Looking forward to receiving a response from you.

Thank you for your attention.


For the Mangroves And the Mangrove Communities!


Alfredo Quarto,
Executive Director
Mangrove Action Project
mangroveap@olympus.net
www.mangroveactionproject.org


cc: Mr Rafael Correa Delgado, President of Ecuador  presidencia.audiencia@presidencia.gob.ec

Dr Fernando Cordero, President of the National Assembly of Ecuador: fernando.cordero@asambleanacional.gob.ec

Mr Linder Altafuya, Assemblyman for the Esmeralda Province: linder.altafuya@asambleanacional.gob.ec

Dr Hugo Oliva, UnderSecretary of Land: holiva@magap.gob.ec
asistente del ministro de agricultura: lsolorzano@magap.gob.ec