Ecuador: Community leaders sentenced for protesting

On 14 August 2012, the National Court of Ecuador sentenced community leaders Carlos Pérez, Federico Guzmán, and Efraín Arpi to eight days in prison for blocking a road during a protest against proposed legislation that the men claim would affect their community’s access to water and was not adequately consulted on. A warrant for their arrest is due to be issued. This ruling shows how the criminal justice system is being used to deter public protests.

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