Ecuador human rights groups warn of militarization and civic decline

A joint report by seven international organizations, including the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Civicus, warns of an accelerated deterioration of human rights and civic space in Ecuador. The findings, based on field observations, highlight the recurrent use of states of exception and the expanded role of the armed forces in public security.

The report notes that the normalization of exceptional security measures has not reduced violence; instead, violent deaths have reached historic highs. Organizations report the criminalization of protests, threats against journalists and human rights defenders, and the use of administrative or financial sanctions against civil society groups. There are also concerns regarding the stigmatization of environmental and human rights defenders, who are sometimes linked to organized crime by authorities.

Furthermore, the document addresses conflicts arising from extractive industries—including mining, oil, and hydroelectric activities—noting that these territories are increasingly managed under national security criteria rather than social or environmental ones. Experts cited in the report emphasize that judicial independence is being weakened and that the state of law is at a crossroads.