Dokument #1121763
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Autor)
Attached are a number of articles focusing
on the situation of indigenous people in Ecuador. An Andean
Newsletter report claims that the head of the Ecuadoran
delegation to the World Human Rights Conference, held in Vienna in
June 1993, stated that Ecuador recognizes the right of indigenous
people to their land and culture (June 1993, 4).
Some articles point to the indigenous
communities' increasing organization, influence and ability to
demand a greater voice in Ecuador's political, social and economic
systems (Inter Press Service 20 Dec. 1993; Latinamerica
Press 1 Apr. 1993, 3; Latin American Weekly Report 8
July 1993, 310).
A number of the articles highlight strikes
in which indigenous peoples either particiapted or organized in
1993 (Efe 13 Jan. 1993; Latin American Weekly Report 17 June
1993, 275; ibid. 10 June 1993, 256). The Confederation of
Indigenous Nations of Ecuador (CONAIE), which represents Ecuador's
nine ethnic groups (Inter Press Service 20 Dec. 1993), has been a
player in many of these strikes. CONAIE has also taken a role in
asserting the claims of the indigenous people of Ecuador to land
and resources (Efe 24 Jan. 1994; Voz de los Andes 24 Jan. 1994).
Individual groups such as the Cof n, Secoya and others have also
been involved in land and resource (especially oil) claims
(Latin American Weekly Report 18 Nov. 1993, 539; The
Christian Science Monitor 16 July 1993).
Some articles express concern for the
safety of some indigenous leaders, who have reportedly been
threatened (Amnesty International 23 Nov. 1993) beaten and jailed
(Hemisphere Summer/Fall 1993, 17).
This response was prepared after
researching publicly accessible information currently available to
the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does
not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum.
Amnesty International 23 November
1993. Urgent Action. (AI Index AMR 28/11/93). London:
Amnesty International.
Andean Newsletter [Lima]. June
1993. No. 79. "Vienna: NGOs, High Commissions and Indigenous
People."
The Christian Science Monitor
[Boston]. 16 June 1993. David Holmstrom. "Ecuador Indians Fight for
Forests."
Efe [Madrid, in Spanish]. 24 January
1994. "Indigenous People Seize Energy Ministry, Threaten Oil
Wells." (FBIS-LAT-94-016 25 Jan. 1994, p. 41)
. 13 January 1993. "Indians, Public
Employees Stage Protest March." (FBIS-LAT-93-009 14 Jan. 1993, pp.
25-26)
Hemisphere. Summer/Fall 1993.
Vol. 5, No. 3. Donna Lee Van Cott. "Ecuador: Is Modernization
Enough?"
Inter Press Service. 20 December 1993.
"Ecuador-Population: Ethnic Groups Seek Political Participation."
(NEXIS)
Latin American Weekly Report
[London]. 18 November 1993. "Amazon Indians Take on Big Firms."
. 8 July 1993. "Indian Demands Break New
Ground."
. 17 June 1993. "Strike Fails to Shake
Dur n's Resolve."
. 10 June 1993. "Government Defies
'Indefinite' Strike."
Latinamerica Press [London]. 1
April 1993. "Ecuadoran Indians Are Making Themselves Heard."
Voz de los Andes [Quito, in Spanish]. 24
January 1994. "Further on Oil-Bidding Process." (FBIS-LAT-94-016 25
Jan. 1994, p. 41)
Agence France Presse (AFP). 8 February
1994. "Indians, Students Demonstrate." (FBIS-LAT-94-027 9 Feb.
1994, pp. 29-30)
Amnesty International 23 November 1993.
Urgent Action. (AI Index AMR 28/11/93). London: Amnesty
International.
Andean Newsletter [Lima]. June
1993. No. 79. "Vienna: NGOs, High Commissions and Indigenous
People", pp. 4-5.
The Christian Science Monitor
[Boston]. 16 June 1993. David Holmstrom. "Ecuador Indians Fight for
Forests."
Efe [Madrid, in Spanish]. 24 Jan. 1994.
"Indigenous People Seize Energy Ministry, Threaten Oil Wells."
(FBIS-LAT-94-016 25 Jan. 1994, p. 41)
. 13 January 1993. "Indians, Public
Employees Stage Protest March." (FBIS-LAT-93-009 14 Jan. 1993, pp.
25-26)
Hemisphere. Summer/Fall 1993.
Vol. 5, No. 3. Donna Lee van Cott. "Ecuador: Is Modernization
Enough?" pp. 16-17.
Inter Press Service. 20 December 1993.
"Ecuador-Population: Ethnic Groups Seek Political Participation."
(NEXIS)
Latin American Weekly Report
[London]. 18 November 1993. "Amazon Indians Take on Big Firms",
p.539.
. 8 July 1993. "Indian Demands Break New
Ground", p. 310.
. 17 June 1993. "Strike Fails to Shake
Dur n's Resolve", p. 275.
. 10 June 1993. "Government Defies
'Indefinite' Strike", p. 256.
Latinamerica Press [London]. 1
April 1993. "Ecuadoran Indians Are Making Themselves Heard", p.
3.
Voz de los Andes [Quito, in Spanish]. 7
February 1994. "Indians Announce Peaceful Protests for 8, 9 Feb"
(FBIS-LAT-94-027 9 Feb. 1994, p. 29)
. 25 January 1994. "Government, Indians
Reach Agreement; Clashes Reported." (FBIS-LAT-94-017 26 Jan. 1994,
pp. 29-30)
. 24 January 1994. "Further on
Oil-Bidding Process." (FBIS-LAT-94-016 25 Jan. 1994, p. 41)