Ecuador: Sanctions Against Yasuní Defenders Highlight Deterioration of Civic Space
Three years after a referendum to protect Yasuní National Park, Ecuadorian authorities have yet to implement the results, while defenders face sanctions and harassment.
The Ecuadorian government has failed to fully implement the results of a 2023 referendum in which millions of people voted to protect Yasuní National Park from oil extraction. Instead, oil operations continue, and members of the YASunidos collective, who campaigned for the park's protection, are facing financial penalties.
## Background on Yasuní National Park Yasuní National Park is a protected area in the Ecuadorian Amazon, covering 10,200 km2, and is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. The park is threatened by oil extraction activities, which have been documented by Amnesty International as having a devastating impact on the environment and local communities.
The YASunidos collective, a citizen-led group, has spent over a decade defending the park from oil exploitation and played a key role in the referendum process. However, in 2025, the National Electoral Council (CNE) launched proceedings against members of YASunidos for alleged electoral violations related to irregularities in reporting donations.
## Sanctions Against Yasuní Defenders The sanctions imposed on two members of YASunidos, totaling approximately $18,000, have already been paid. The collective has filed an extraordinary protection action before the Constitutional Court, alleging violations of constitutional rights. According to Ana Piquer, Amnesty International's Americas Director, these sanctions are a clear example of harassment of civil society and highlight the deterioration of civic space in Ecuador.
The following table summarizes the key events and figures related to the Yasuní referendum and the sanctions against YASunidos: | Event | Date | Figure | | --- | --- | --- | | Referendum to protect Yasuní National Park | 2023 | Millions of people voted | | Deadline for withdrawal of oil operations | August 2024 | - | | Proposed extension of shutdown process | 2034 | - | | Sanctions imposed on YASunidos members | 2025 | $18,000 |
## Deterioration of Civic Space in Ecuador The sanctions against YASunidos are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a broader pattern of restrictions on civic space in Ecuador. Amnesty International has documented increasing restrictions on the work of civil society organizations and human rights defenders, including the blocking or closure of bank accounts and stigmatization campaigns led by high-ranking authorities.
Ana Piquer has stated that Ecuadorian authorities must ensure that oversight mechanisms are not used to intimidate, silence, or wear down those who defend human rights and the environment. Amnesty International has called on the Ecuadorian government to respect the outcome of the 2023 referendum and ensure an enabling environment for civil society organizations to carry out their advocacy work.
The situation in Ecuador highlights the importance of protecting civic space and ensuring that human rights defenders can carry out their work without fear of reprisals. As Ana Piquer concluded, it is now the State's responsibility to respect the decision of the Ecuadorian people and ensure that those working to make it a reality can do so without fear of reprisals.
