LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION
Francisco Javier Bravo Díez, scj
Dear Brothers, I would like to tell all of you what has been happening in Ecuador during these last days. As you already know we have been in the news because of the situation of social crises we are living through. The country is convulsed by the protest and the presence of various indigenous confederations in Kito; they are demanding the social and political reforms which could bring our people out of the dark night that has held them back for so long.
I am going to give you a summary of what has been happening since the end of the year. Since Christmas there has been an unsustainable increase in prices, which has worsened the greatly weakened economy of our people. Protests were held, especially on the subject of transport, and this led to demonstrations and confrontations with the police - who came out strongly against the students. Meanwhile the indigenous associations were organized to start a new march on the Capitol, their goal being to solicit some social reforms which would serve the needs of the people.
By the end of January many indigenous were arriving in Quito. Some came by foot, including some mothers with children in their arms. They were all ready to paralyze the country if they got no results from the justified claims - which they had already been demanding for a long time. The problem arose when they installed themselves in the Capitol. Previously they were concentrated in the park of “Arbolillo”, but on this occasion it was occupied by the police and their dogs and it was impossible for anybody to approach that area. This led to the indigenous occupying the Salesiana Polytechnic University. Meanwhile, in various other parts of the country, the peasants blocked the roads in order to oblige the government to negotiate. The last week in January found us with a semi-paralyzed society: the schools were not functioning, and almost daily there were arrests and injuries brought about by the various confrontations.
The government’s attitude and way of behaving has left much to desire. In addition to the repression which they have imposed, some indigenous leaders were put in jail. The government decided that they could best handle the situation by cutting off the water supply and not allowing any food to get into the university. Some brethren who took in food had this confiscated in a completely arbitrary way. After the Red Cross had intervened and made clear the bases of International Law the government ceased these repressive measures. However, they quickly declared a “state of emergency” and warned that they were going to enter the Salesiana University to disperse the indigenous. With this declaration many civil rights were suspended.
The morning of Sunday, Feb 4th, the city of Quito was peaceful. Following the concepts of Justice and Peace of the CER (Confederación Ecuatoriana de Religiosos - Ecuadorian Confederation of Religious), we organized a Mass for national reconciliation and dialogue, while a new attempt was made to establish a dialogue between the government and indigenous groups. Meanwhile in Quito, in our vicariate for the South, a permanent prayer vigil was being organized, one which would guide the groups of indigenous who were concentrated in our suburbs.
It is not difficult to imagine how we arrived at such a situation. The economic deterioration Ecuador has suffered has led to losing our national currency and our sugar crops, and has pushed us into a situation where the country is “Dollarized”. Institutionalized corruption, the removal of all economic means, and the loss of almost all social rights (health, education, care measures for the peasantry) have caused over a million Ecuadorians to immigrate; this is a considerable figure for a country as small as ours. There is a lack of an integrated policy which would get rid of marginalization and favoritism. The years of crisis which we have suffered will not be converted into an opportunity for our people unless there is a change in thinking, one that would insure equal opportunities for everyone.
In this moment we are living in uncertainty. The indigenous people have started a hunger strike and every day which passes fifty more people join to take part in this protest. The religious of Ecuador, in the communication which CER made public, opted in favor of caring for the rights of the indigenous people. They have asked the government for a clear intention to enter into negotiations in order to put an end to the discrimination which for centuries, and still today, has plagued the poorest people of our country. The situation today, Monday, has become radical. There is news that some indigenous people have been killed in the confrontations which are taking place in the rural areas. We beg all men and women of good will to join us in an international solidarity which may make it possible to put an end to all of this injustice.