INREDH

Where rights are threatened or violated, the human rights organization INREDH seeks an appropriate strategy to provide a response. 

Legal support

Rural and indigenous communities are very vulnerable in Ecuador. Mining and oil companies often affect their living environment, and with it their basic rights. If they dare to protest against this, they are imprisoned as criminals, prosecuted or threatened. INREDH defends the organizations, their leaders and activists. It initiates legal proceedings, contacts the press and raises awareness among the population.   

A few years ago, it set up a school for political education, where young indigenous representatives learn how to effectively defend the collective rights of indigenous peoples and 'the rights of nature'. 

INREDH also works with indigenous organizations to have the traditional customary law of the peoples recognized as a legitimate form of justice.  

INREDH has achieved much through its training activities, communication and awareness-raising. But it is mainly through its specialized legal knowledge and the defense of victims in the courts and actions in the international systems for the protection of human rights that the organization is recognized both in Ecuador and internationally.  

Defending vulnerable groups

Like neighboring countries, Ecuador is facing a wave of sexual violence against women and femicides. INREDH supports women who are victims and defends their cases. In addition to women, INREDH also protects other people whose rights are under pressure, such as LGBT people, transgender people and prisoners. 

Reporting human rights violations

As the government continues to cut social welfare budgets and continues to focus on large-scale projects that are harmful to local communities, major social unrest regularly breaks out. It is mainly the indigenous organizations that expressed their dissatisfaction and demanded changes in October 2019 and June 2022, with mobilizations throughout the country. INREDH has been very active in monitoring the situation and recording all irregularities and forms of repression against indigenous leaders and organizations. The documentation of the cases was extremely important for the amnesty that was obtained in early 2022 and the legal defense of the social leaders who are being prosecuted.