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The last two weeks in Ecuador have been marked by significant social protest as well as state repression in response to proposed economic measures that removed long-standing petroleum subsidies. As the subsidies were lifted, indigenous groups began to march towards Quito in a unified response to the measures, resulting in massive protest marches in the capital. The Ecuadorian state responded quickly, declaring a state of emergency, imposing curfews, and sending national police and military forces to control the protests.
The Mennonite Church of Quito, many of whose members were prevented from gathering together due to curfew laws, was deeply disturbed by the government’s response to the protests. They wanted to speak openly and publicly as a church, but found there were not many other churches who were doing so. They were inspired by the Jesuits, who took an early and firm position, and found commonality with other evangelical groups who were requesting prayer. The Mennonites were praying too, but they wanted to also speak publicly from their position as a peace church. Through WhatsApp communications, they crafted the following statement and send it to fraternal partners in Ecuador and beyond.
Earlier this week the government revoked the subsidy measures following negotiations with indigenous leaders. Although the state of emergency and curfew have been limited, much still hangs in the balance. The Mennonite Church of Quito hopes this statement can continue to speak peace into an uncertain future. Mennonite Central Committee accompanies and supports the Mennonite Church of Quito as they serve refugees arriving in Quito.
Members of the Mennonite Church in Quito participate in last week’s protests.
QUITO—It is with deep concern and profound sadness that we in Ecuador are have been witnessing the escalation of violent repression directed against protestors by the Armed Forces of the National Police, in complete disregard of human rights and the right to protest. Armed forces have violated places of peace, they have prevented medical professionals from caring for the injured, they have carried out ambushes and have declared false ceasefires with the aim of taking protestors unawares and launching dozens of suffocating tear gas grenades. They are losing their respect for human life, as if we were in a state of civil war.
We as the Anabaptist Mennonite Christian Church of Ecuador, given our work with refugees, stand in solidarity with all migrants and refugees, who in recent days have been the object of xenophobia and discrimination. They have been unjustly accused of causing the crisis in our country, even though they have had nothing to do with it.
We offer our strongest possible support to the indigenous people who have bravely provided with an example of peaceful resistance, even risking their lives for justice, peace, and the rejection of neoliberal economic policies.
We are issuing an urgent call to the authorities, asking that they seek out a peaceful solution to this conflict—with the knowledge that the state of emergency, the curfew, and ongoing persecution do not contribute to productive dialogue. We cannot remain indifferent to violations of human rights, peaceful coexistence, and the freedom to protest. True peace must be a fruit of justice. Ecuador has no future if it continues to build on a foundation of structural injustice, inequality, poverty, and violence.
We call on the Armed Forces of the National Police to take an active role in preserving the peace, as a sign of their full respect for the human rights of everyone involved, and to seek new ways of addressing conflict that do not place lives and public safety at risk.
We must see life through the eyes of those who suffer and identify with their cries against injustice and abuse. As Christians, we believe in a God who suffers with those who suffer, who cries out in protest with those who are victims, and who pursues life with us and for us. The cry of Jesus on the cross was a cry of indignation and protest, but at the same time, a cry of hope.
Anabaptist Mennonite Christian Church of Ecuador
Header photo: María Helena López, a missionary with the Mennonite Church of Colombia and Mennonite Mission Network, facilitates integration activities with project participants awaiting interviews with the refugee ministry at the Mennonite Church of Quito.