Eight Ecuadorian women who were carrying out a "peaceful takeover" of the Chinese Embassy were arrested in Quito minutes ago after riot police arrived at the scene, read them their rights and told them they were being held in Chinese territory, according to Popular Reporters of Ecuador.
The women were part of a larger group that was holding a peaceful protest at the site due to the announced signing of the first mega-mining contract in Ecuador that would take place this afternoon, March 5.
The signing of the contract would take place just days before the announced March for Water, for Life and for the Dignity of the People, which is considered by environmental groups as a "provocation by the Government."
Dozens of activists are heading to protest at the Judicial Police where a hearing will be held with the detainees, an act that according to Popular Reporters occurred without an express request from the Chinese authorities, and although their announcement of detention would have been in Chinese territory, it has been announced that the Ecuadorian Prosecutor's Office will file the charges. This is how the account of Guardians of Yasuní on Facebook: «The women declare that they were mistreated and that they are currently inside the PJ. The public prosecutor intends to accuse them of "flagrant crime" although the embassy does not want to press charges. The charge that the prosecutor would present is for "trespassing."
Those arrested for this protest are:
Nathalia Bonilla CI. 171057672-5
Gloria Chicaiza CI. 171086486-7
Maria Fernanda Solíz Torres ID. 010441341-4
Aurora Donoso ID. 170424991-9
Nathalia Santamaria Zurita CI. 1722552054
Gabriela Ruales CI. 171423799-5
Valeria Farez 010541129-2
Quito, March 5, 2012
Mr.
Yuan Guisen
Chinese Ambassador to Ecuador
Atahualpa and Amazonas Avenue
Quito
The organizations, groups and individuals who signed this Petition declare to you that the Cordillera del Cóndor, a territory given as a concession to the company ECSA (Ecuacorriente) for the execution of the Mirador project, is one of the areas of richest biodiversity and cultures in Ecuador, which will forever affect the territories of indigenous peoples and nature.
We reject the signing of the announced contract and therefore declare ourselves in non-violent occupation of the Chinese Embassy.
WE INFORM THAT
- The Constitution of Ecuador guarantees the Rights of Nature, Collective Rights and Indigenous Peoples, which are being violated with the signing of the contract.
- The signing of the contract means interference in national politics because there is a conflict between the peoples and communities of the concessioned territories and the national government.
WE DENOUNCE the peoples of Ecuador and China for the illegal and illegitimate acts that they intend to enshrine with the signing of this contract:
- That the Ecuadorian government has decided to sign the mining contract without having approved the Environmental Impact Study or the Environmental License and without the Consent of the Communities and Indigenous Peoples, essential requirements for any mining company.
- Failure to comply with the Mining Mandate issued by the Constituent Assembly, which establishes the reversal of mining concessions due to lack of consultation, for being located in protected areas, for affecting water sources and springs, among others.
WE DEMAND:
- Inform the Ecuadorian authorities of this rejection.
- Urge the company Ecuacorriente SA to refrain from signing the contract.
- That the Chinese government investigate its companies for the criminalization they promote, ignoring the rights of communities and peoples of Ecuador and failing to comply with the legal procedures established in the country.
- That it refrain from using any type of arbitration or pressure mechanisms, seeking legal loopholes to affect the country's sovereignty.
We emphasize that after this action, it will not be possible to argue ignorance of the conflict, illegalities and irregularities in relation to the signing of this contract.
By environmental, human rights and women's organizations.
We subscribe
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