Quito, Ecuador – Verónica Abad, Ecuador's Vice President, has announced her intention to seek international legal recourse, citing a lack of justice within her own country. This decision follows what she describes as a series of abuses and acts of political gender violence orchestrated by the government of President Daniel Noboa.
In an interview with Radio Pichincha on Sunday, Abad detailed her struggles, stating, "I have desperately sought justice in Ecuador from thousands of kilometers away, I tried to defend myself against so much violence. I was denied the right to defend myself. Therefore, given the lack of Ecuadorian justice, I obviously have to seek the defense of human rights internationally."
Abad disclosed that she is currently facing nine criminal proceedings initiated by the Noboa administration, including an "illogical" charge of usurpation of functions. The most recent legal challenge stems from a ruling by the Contentious Electoral Tribunal (TCE), where she was found guilty of political gender violence against Chancellor Gabriela Sommerfeld. This verdict resulted in the suspension of her political rights and a substantial fine, though she intends to appeal.
"We have any amount of evidence to demonstrate her political gender violence," Abad asserted, claiming that the TCE judge ignored her evidence. Consequently, she plans to escalate her case to international human rights bodies.
Her legal battles also include unsuccessful complaints against President Noboa, Chancellor Sommerfeld, Advisor Diana Jácome, and former Minister of Government Esteban Torres. These actions were met with counter-complaints from Sommerfeld and Jácome.
The conflict between Abad and the Noboa administration intensified when the president and his cabinet publicly opposed her assuming presidential duties during his temporary absences for campaign activities. They deemed her a "risk to democracy."
Previously, Abad was suspended from her duties for 150 days without pay, allegedly for delaying her transfer from Tel Aviv to Ankara. Despite a judge's order to reinstate her, she remains sidelined, with President Noboa appointing Cynthia Gellibert as acting vice president.
Furthermore, Noboa delegated campaign responsibilities to Gellibert, bypassing Abad.
The situation has drawn international attention, with the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Reem Alsalem, condemning the harassment and abuse against Abad. Alsalem highlighted the timing of these actions during an electoral period, raising concerns about judicial independence and democratic processes in Ecuador.
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