Indigenous people files a lawsuit against President in Ecuador

Ecuador’s greatest Indigenous group has filed a suit against President Lenin Moreno and other administrators for alleged atrocities against humanity perpetrated during demonstrations last October that left 10 people dead.

The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) requested the procececutor’s office on Monday to probe “crimes against humanity” because they assume the crackdown was “a well-organised and comprehensive intervention on the civilian people,” the group’s lawyer, Carlos Poveda, reported to AFP news agency.

“We have suggested that there be no hidden or indirect inquiries. We have suggested that all the charges be joined that they be administered with in a context of crimes against humanity,” Poveda told.

The government has yet to comment on the lawsuit. Demonstrations began in early October when Moreno cut petrol support subsidies that had been in place in the nation for 40 years. The deductions discussed the cost of diesel more than twice and petrol inflated by 30 percent, overnight.

Moreno announced a national state of emergency, which placed more riot police and troops officials on the roads across the nation.

At one point, the president removed his government from the capital Quito to the port city of Guayaquil. He ultimately strengthened down and restored the fuel subsidies.

Poveda said the lawsuit was against Moreno, the interior and defence minister , the police chief and the administrator.

“We had filed charges, we had told the State that they should review the events of October 2019, but this unstable government and the Ecuadorian judgment system have not been able to answer and give an answer to the Ecuadorian people,” CONAIE president Jaime Vargas told journalists.

As per the statistics presented by the ombudsman’s office, the demonstrations left 10 people killed, 1,340 injured and 1,192 detained. The protests also caused an estimated $821m in damages .