The violence and weakness of the judiciary in Ecuador is alarming the United Nations

In a recent analysis, the organization’s Special Rapporteur, Margaret Satterthwaite, expressed concern about violent attacks and intimidation of justice officials, including judges, prosecutors and officials, as well as judicial buildings in the South American country.

He said these events became more disturbing after the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio during a campaign event in Quito, the Ecuadorean capital, on August 9.

The special rapporteur and professor of law at New York University said the threats are particularly evident for those dealing with cases of organized crime and corruption.

She added that the attacks undermine the independence of the judicial system, while directly affecting the work of judges and prosecutors in their struggle to ensure the rule of law.

In addition, they violate the fundamental guarantees and freedoms of the victims when officials must have the necessary security to carry out their work.

Satterthwaite urged the Ecuadorian authorities to ensure that these conditions are maintained for the good functioning of the judiciary.

Between 2022 and 2023, four public prosecutors were assassinated, several judicial officials were intimidated and threatened, while several criminal judges survived physical assaults and assassination attempts.

During that period, various judicial facilities received bomb threats.

In the Manabi region alone, 13 attacks and threats against judicial officials were recorded.

nbg/ebr