Because of their commitment to protecting the environment and human habitats, 13 female activists from the Amazon region are in danger. The girls and young women, aged between 10 and 19, belong to the group Guerreras por la Amazonía (GxA). Some of them come from indigenous communities.
In 2021, with the support of the organization Unión de Afectados por Texaco, GxA obtained a historic ruling against the routine flaring of gas in the provinces of Sucumbíos and Orellana. The Sucumbíos Court found that the Ecuadorian state had disregarded the right to a healthy environment and the right to health of the plaintiffs. It also ruled that the state must gradually remove the gas flares, especially near populated areas, and pay compensation to the affected communities. Since then, however, the authorities have neither initiated environmental remediation measures nor restored the right to health or other rights for local people.
On February 21, 2024, four GxA members, including the then 14-year-old Leonela Moncayo, attended a meeting of the parliamentary committee on biodiversity, which was to review compliance with the ruling by the relevant authorities. Five days later, an improvised explosive device exploded in the courtyard of Leonela Moncayo and her mother’s house. This was clearly intended to intimidate her. Nevertheless, the authorities did not take any measures to protect her and the other activists. The reason given was that such measures would only be taken if the activists stopped their activities.
Please write politely worded letters to the Attorney General by June 30, 2025, urging her to investigate the attacks on Leonela Moncayo and her family effectively, independently, impartially and without further delay. Ask that Leonela Moncayo and the other GxA climate activists receive unconditional protection so that they can exercise their right to freedom of expression and advocate for the protection of the environment and their rights.
Write in good Spanish, English or German to:
Diana Salazar
Juan León Mera N19-36 y Av. Patria
Edificio Fiscalía General del Estado Quito
Quito
ECUADOR
E-mail: despacho@fiscalia.gob.ec / mogollonf@fiscalia.gob.ec
X (Twitter): @DianaSalazarM2
(Salutation: Dear Attorney General)
(Standard letter airmail up to 20 g: € 1.25)
Please send a copy of your letter to:
Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador
S. E. Mr. Diego Fernando Morejon Pazmiño
Joachimstaler Straße 12, 10719 Berlin
Fax: 030 – 80 09 69 699
E-mail: info@ecuadorembassy.de
(Standard letter: 0,95 €)