Independent human rights experts have raised urgent concerns regarding the political harassment and persecution of Ecuador’s Vice-President, María Verónica Abad Rojas. They highlighted the alarming nature of these attacks, particularly their gender-specific implications, jeopardising women’s public participation and undermining the democratic integrity of elections in Ecuador.
The experts detailed various coercive measures against Vice-President Abad since her inauguration in 2023, including her dubious appointment as ‘Ambassador for Peace’ in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They noted her forced relocations, leading to personal security issues, and an irregular administrative process initiated by the government against her for alleged “unjustified abandonment of office,” despite her absence being endorsed by a government order.
Significantly, the Ministry of Labour issued an unconstitutional suspension order against Abad in November 2024, disregarding Ecuador’s Constitution. Even the judicial system declared these actions unconstitutional, yet they continued, involving military forces even blocking her access to her office as Vice-President.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Vice-President’s eldest son, Francisco Sebastián Barreiro Abad, faced 46 days of arbitrary detention, alongside his lawyer’s arrest in January 2025. These judicial abuses manifest as state repression intended to silence high-ranking officials and contradict the principles of due process.
The experts observed that the context worsened with the sitting President refusing to relinquish office during the electoral campaign, appointing a successor without democratic legitimacy. They urged Ecuadorian authorities to respect judicial rulings and restore Vice-President Abad’s rights, emphasizing the necessity of a transparent electoral process for safeguarding democracy in Ecuador.
Human rights experts express deep concern regarding the political persecution of Ecuador’s Vice-President, María Verónica Abad Rojas. They cite various coercive government measures undermining her position and the electoral process. The situation escalates with unlawful judicial actions against her and her family, reflecting potential threats to democracy and women’s rights in Ecuador.
The international experts have voiced serious concerns over the political persecution of Ecuador’s Vice-President, which threatens democratic values and women’s rights in governance. Their detailed observations highlight ongoing judicial abuses and improper state actions that undermine the electoral process. Immediate action is called for to restore Vice-President Abad’s rights and ensure compliance with court rulings to maintain Ecuador’s democratic integrity.
Original Source: yubanet.com
