PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 28/003/2007

24 August 2007

Further Information on UA 193/07 (AMR 28/002/2007, 25 July 2007) Fear for safety

ECUADOR Jaime Polivio Pérez Lucero (m), community leader in García Moreno parish

Mercy Catalina Torres Terán (f)

Others opposed to the Intag copper mining project

Jaime Polivio Pérez Lucero was reportedly threatened in the street on 4 August and, according to a police account of the incident, would have been physically attacked if police officers had not intervened. According to the police report, he was attacked by people, some of whom work at the mining project close to his home in the Intag area of the northern province of Imbabura, which Polivio Pérez has opposed.

The attackers apparently said, Por tu culpa la empresa va a salir, ahora te arrastramos, te quemamos para que no salgas con vida porque te opones al desarrollo. Tu casa tenemos que destruir (Because of you the company is going to leave, now we will drag you, we will burn you so that you don’t come out alive because you are against development. We have to destroy your house.)

The police report says the attackers were four women, whom it names, and "other individuals who work for the mining company". It also states that Jaime Polivio Pérez’s motorbike was thrown into a three-metre ditch. Jaime Polivio Pérez is apparently now being given police protection at his house, whose food and lodging he has to pay for, and as far as the bus stop but he is not protected any further despite needing to travel frequently for his work.

This new attack is the latest in a series of threats and harassment against Jaime Polivio Pérez which began in December 2006. These threats appear to be the result of his active and outspoken campaigning against the planned copper mine, although this is the first time Amnesty International has been told of threats being made by people working at the mining project.

The threats were reported to the local prosecutor’s office on 22 August.

Amnesty International has no information on any investigation into the attack against Mercy Catalina Torres Terán.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

During a visit to Ecuador in November 2006, an Amnesty International delegation visited Imbabura and met with members of the communities affected by the mining project in Intag. The delegation received testimonies and reports of how those who campaign against the mining project have been intimidated, harassed and attacked. Amnesty International wrote to the authorities asking for investigations to be opened into these incidents, but none is yet known to have begun.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language:

- expressing concern that Jaime Polivio Pérez Lucero was threatened on 4 August and could have been physically attacked if the police had not intervened;

- recognising the timely intervention of police officers in this incident but urging the authorities to take further steps to guarantee the safety of Jaime Polivio Pérez Lucero, including providing improved protection in all areas of his work, in accordance with his own wishes;

- expressing concern for the safety of Jaime Polivio Pérez Lucero, Mercy Catalina torres Terán and other inhabitants of the Intag area, Imbabura, who are opposed to the copper mining project;

- expressing concern that Jaime Polivio Pérez Lucerohas been repeatedly threatened with death since December 2006, apparently because of his campaigning actions to defend the right of the communities in Intag to a meaningful, open and transparent consultation before any mining project in the area begins;

- urging the authorities to carry out an independent and impartial investigation into the recent attack against Jaime Polivio Pérez Lucero as detailed in the police report, making the results public and bringing those responsible to justice.

APPEALS TO:

Minister of the Interior

Dr. Gustavo Larrea

Ministro deGobierno, Policía,

Justicia, Cultos y Municipalidades

Ministerio de Gobierno y Policía

Espejo y Benalcázar, Quito, Ecuador

Fax: +593 22955666 Ext. 155

+593 22955666 Ext. 150

+593 22955666 Ext. 151 (When automated message stops, enter extension number. If voice answers, say "Tono de fax, por favor"))

Salutation: Dear Minister/Señor Ministro

Attorney General

Dr. Jorge Germán

Ministro Fiscal General del Estado

Fiscalía General del Estado

Av. Eloy Alfaro Nº 32-240 y República, Quito, Ecuador

Fax: +593 22558561 (please keep trying)

Salutation: Dear Minister/Señor Ministro

Minister of Energy and Mines

Econ. Alberto Acosta

Ministro de Energía y Minas, Ministerio de Energía y Minas

Juan León Mera Nº 26-220 y Orellana, Quito - Ecuador

Fax: +593 22906350

Salutation: Dear Attorney General/Sr. Ministro Fiscal

COPIES TO:

Human Rights Non-governmental Organization

Comisión Ecumenica de Derechos Humanos - CEDHU

Carlos Ibarra 176 y 10 de Agosto

Edif. Yuraj Pirca, 9no. Piso, Quito, Ecuador

Fax: +593 2 258 9272

E-mail: denuncias@cedhu.org

and to diplomatic representatives of Ecuador accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 4 October 2007.