No information on whether the government has experienced difficulty in asserting control specifically over the activities of navy officers could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, according to media reports, a group of "army" officers (LARR 29 Feb. 2000; Clarín 10 May 2000) joined forces with the leaders of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador, CONAIE) as they "seized the legislature and installed a 'people's parliament'" in January 2000 (LAWR 25 Jan. 2000). In May 2000, three senior armed forces chiefs, including the head of the navy, Vice-Admiral Enrique Monteverde, tendered their resignation, reportedly in connection with their role in the January rebellion (El Mundo 10 May 2000; Clarín 10 May 2000; CNN 9 May 2000).

No mention of harassment, threats or violence against civilians by individuals affiliated with the navy's Intelligence Division could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

CNN. 9 May 2000. "Most of Ecuador's Military Leadership Offers Resignation." http://www.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/americas/05/09/ecuador.military.02/ [Accessed 11 Apr. 2001]

Clarín [Buenos Aires]. 10 May 2000. Anibal del Rio. "Crisis militar en Ecuador." http://www.clarin.com.ar/ [Accessed 11 Apr. 2001]

Latin American Regional Reports: Andean Group Report (LARR) [London]. 29 February 2000. "President Faces Plebiscite Demands."

Latin American Weekly Report (LAWR) [London]. 25 January 2000. "Breakneck Succession of Coups in Ecuador Ends with the Ouster of Mahuad."

El Mundo [Madrid]. 10 May 2000. "Renuncian a sus cargos tres de los cuatro alto cargos del Ejército de Ecuador." http://www.el-mundo.es/ [Accessed 11 Apr. 2001]

Additional Sources Consulted

Country Reports. 1998-2000.

IRB databases.

Latin American Regional Reports: Andean Group Report [London]. Jan. 1998-Mar. 2001.

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. Jan. 1998-Mar. 2001.

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International.

BBC. Jan. 1998-Apr. 2001.

Fundación Regional de Asesoría en Derechos Humanos.

The Guardian [London]. Jan. 1998-Apr. 2001.

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

New Statesman [London]. Jan. 1999-Apr. 2001.

World News Connection (WNC)