President Declares State of Emergency in Seven Provinces
President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador has declared a state of emergency in seven provinces out of the total 24 due to an increase in violent deaths and other crimes. The decree signed by President Noboa will last for 60 days and affects Guayas, El Oro, Santa Elena, Manabi, Sucumbios, Orellana, Los Rios provinces, as well as one area of the Azuay province.
Reasons for the State of Emergency
The government cited a rise in violent deaths and criminal activities as the primary reasons for imposing the state of emergency. President Noboa highlighted the need for immediate action to address the security concerns in these regions.
Scope of the State of Emergency
Under this state of emergency, security forces will have enhanced powers, including the ability to enter homes and intercept correspondence in the targeted provinces without prior authorization. President Noboa emphasized the importance of these measures in combating crime effectively.
Background and Previous State of Emergency
This is the second state of emergency declared by President Noboa this year. The first was imposed in January following the escape of notorious gangster Jose Adolfo Macias, alias “Fito,” from maximum security detention. The previous state of emergency was lifted in April.
Human Rights Concerns
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised concerns about the state of emergency, urging President Noboa to reconsider his declaration of “internal armed conflict.” HRW highlighted the risk of rights abuses and expressed worries about the ongoing violence in the country.
The HRW pointed out instances of human rights violations allegedly committed by security forces, including detentions without proper legal procedures and reports of mistreatment of detainees.
