HRF Opens Chapter in Ecuador

QUITO, Ecuador (September 17, 2008)—The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) celebrates the launch of a new chapter: Human Rights Foundation-Ecuador (HRF-Ecuador). Headquartered in Quito, the country’s capital, HRF-Ecuador will defend the civil and political rights of Ecuadorean citizens, research and publish its findings, and raise awareness about human rights abuses occurring in the country.

“The creation of affiliate offices in Latin America continues at increasing speed,” said HRF President Thor Halvorssen. “We are building upon the success of HRF-Bolivia. And we are thrilled to be joined by an experienced team of professionals who are scrupulously devoted to human rights. We are confident that HRF-Ecuador is capable of developing programs that will reflect our core institutional beliefs,” added Halvorssen.

Andrea Tapia has been named executive director of HRF-Ecuador. “Since she was a student leader defending student rights as head of an 8,000-member group, Andrea Tapia has a demonstrable commitment to public service and to the promotion and protection of human rights. Her studies in law and constitutional rights—in which she excelled—will serve her well,” said Halvorssen. Prior to joining HRF-Ecuador, Ms. Tapia worked as a paid consultant to the Constitutional Commission of the Congress of Ecuador as well as the Commission on Criminal and Civil Matters. Sharing HRF’s mission and objectives, HRF-Ecuador is an independent entity with its own board and staff.

HRF is an international nonpartisan organization devoted to defending human rights in the Americas. It centers its work on the twin concepts of freedom of self-determination and freedom from tyranny. These ideals include the belief that all human beings have the rights to speak freely, to associate with those of like mind, and to leave and enter their countries. Individuals in a free society must be accorded equal treatment and due process under law, and must have the opportunity to participate in the governments of their countries; HRF’s ideals likewise find expression in the conviction that all human beings have the right to be free from arbitrary detainment or exile and from interference and coercion in matters of conscience. HRF’s International Council includes former prisoners of conscience Vladimir Bukovsky, Palden Gyatso, Armando Valladares, Ramón J. Velásquez, Elie Wiesel, and Harry Wu.

Contact: Javier El-Hage, Human Rights Foundation, (212) 246.8486, info@thehrf.org