Ecuador

Ecuador is a constitutional republic with a population of approximately 13 million. In 2002 voters elected Lucio Gutierrez president in generally free and fair elections. In April following large-scale protests in Quito and the public withdrawal of support by the military, Congress voted to remove President Gutierrez. Vice President Alfredo Palacio assumed the presidency to finish Gutierrez's term. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.

While the government generally respected the human rights of its citizens, there were serious problems in some areas. The following human rights problems were reported:

unlawful killings and use of excessive force by security forces

torture, abuse, and killing of suspects and prisoners by security forces, often with impunity

poor prison conditions

arbitrary arrest

high number of pretrial detainees

corruption and denial of due process within the judicial system

attacks on those publicly critical of former President Gutierrez

violence against women

pervasive discrimination against women, indigenous people, Afro-Ecuadorians, and homosexuals

trafficking in persons and sexual exploitation of minors

widespread child labor