Ecuador: Recent years posecutors, judges use charges of terrorism against anti-govt protesters

hrw.org/José Miguel Vivanco …. in recent years, prosecutors and judges in Ecuador have used charges of “terrorism” and “sabotage” in the criminal code against anti-government protesters, applying broad and overly vague definitions of both crimes that did not meet the internationally recognized principle of legality, which requires that crimes must be precisely defined in law.

A new criminal code came into force in August 2014, after prosecutors had already brought the charges against Pacheco and Trujillo under the old legal framework. The new code narrows the vague definitions of both offenses, and states that judges should “apply the most favorable law.” Yet, a year and a half after the law was changed, prosecutors and judges continue to move forward with the terrorism prosecutions against Pacheco and Trujillo based on a law that no longer exists, for acts that would not be considered terrorism under current law. This open disregard for basic human rights principles is appalling and needs to be exposed internationally. Read Article

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