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12 February, 2001The metalworkers' union, FETIM, is asking for international condemnation of brutal government repression.
ECUADOR: The IMF's Ecuadorian affiliate, the Federation of Metal and Mine Workers (FETIM), has made an urgent appeal for international condemnation of the repression and massacres being perpetrated in their country by the government of President Gustavo Noboa Bejarano.
Mass protests by the trade unions, the Indian movement and vast majority of the country's citizens began in January following harsh government economic measures, such as the 25 per cent hike in fuel prices and 75 per cent increase in transportation fares. This was yet another blow to a population which is already living in extreme poverty. Their protests, however, have been met by brutal government repression, with people being attacked, shot, burnt by tear gas, arrested and there have been reports of some deaths.
FETIM's president, Marcelo Ortega, states that not only are human rights being violated every day, but the corruption and opulence displayed shamelessly by a few is intolerable. "In Ecuador," says Ortega, "it is current practice to intimidate and murder those who fight for a piece of bread for their children. The people are condemned to die either in the streets fighting or at home from illness and starvation."
The union is appealing to the IMF and its affiliated organisations to write to the Ecuadorian government to condemn not only its repression but also its unwillingness to make progress through dialogue in order to improve the living conditions of its own people.
Please send letters to:
Dr. Gustavo Noboa Bejarano
Presidente de la República del Ecuador
Fax: (593-2) 580735
e-mail: [email protected]
Abogado Juan Manrique
Ministro de Gobierno y Policia
Fax: (593-2) 580067
e-mail: [email protected]
Almirante Hugo Unda
Ministro de Defensa
Fax: (593-2) 580431
e-mail: [email protected]
with a copy to the FETIM
Fax: (593-2) 654165
e-mail: [email protected]
and to the IMF.
Mass protests by the trade unions, the Indian movement and vast majority of the country's citizens began in January following harsh government economic measures, such as the 25 per cent hike in fuel prices and 75 per cent increase in transportation fares. This was yet another blow to a population which is already living in extreme poverty. Their protests, however, have been met by brutal government repression, with people being attacked, shot, burnt by tear gas, arrested and there have been reports of some deaths.
FETIM's president, Marcelo Ortega, states that not only are human rights being violated every day, but the corruption and opulence displayed shamelessly by a few is intolerable. "In Ecuador," says Ortega, "it is current practice to intimidate and murder those who fight for a piece of bread for their children. The people are condemned to die either in the streets fighting or at home from illness and starvation."
The union is appealing to the IMF and its affiliated organisations to write to the Ecuadorian government to condemn not only its repression but also its unwillingness to make progress through dialogue in order to improve the living conditions of its own people.
Please send letters to:
Dr. Gustavo Noboa Bejarano
Presidente de la República del Ecuador
Fax: (593-2) 580735
e-mail: [email protected]
Abogado Juan Manrique
Ministro de Gobierno y Policia
Fax: (593-2) 580067
e-mail: [email protected]
Almirante Hugo Unda
Ministro de Defensa
Fax: (593-2) 580431
e-mail: [email protected]
with a copy to the FETIM
Fax: (593-2) 654165
e-mail: [email protected]
and to the IMF.