Indigenous and environmental leaders in Ecuador say they are facing state intimidation

"Indigenous and environmental leaders in Ecuador say they are facing a wave of state intimidation ahead of a national referendum next month on whether to rewrite the world's only constitution that recognises the rights of nature. The pressure is being applied by the rightwing president, Daniel Noboa, who has begun his second term with a Trumpian agenda of consolidating power and sweeping away legal and social barriers to extractivist businesses, such as mining."

"The referendum on 16 November will decide whether to establish a constituent assembly to reform or replace the constitution, a process that would enable the president to put pressure on the main organisation that is resisting his push for more power: the constitutional court. It will also address several other far-reaching changes proposed by Noboa, including a reduction of seats in the legislative assembly, party funding and foreign military bases."

"The referendum will be the most controversial move yet by the president, who has already prompted alarm with several pieces of legislation that critics say undermine environmental safeguards and democratic checks and balances. A protected areas law, for example, purportedly enhances environmental sustainability and the management of conservation areas, but Indigenous groups say it is a ruse to bypass their right to free, prior and informed consent, while potentially opening up protected land to privatisation and extractive industries."

Ecuador faces a political crisis as President Daniel Noboa advances a plan to convene a constituent assembly that could rewrite the constitution and weaken protections for nature and Indigenous rights. Noboa proposes reducing legislative seats, changing party funding and allowing foreign military bases, and prioritises extractive development including mining and construction on the Galapagos. Indigenous and environmental leaders report state intimidation and legislative changes—such as a protected areas law and a national solidarity law—that critics say sidestep free, prior and informed consent and open protected lands to privatisation and extractive industries.

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