"International human rights groups call for justice in case of modern slavery against Furukawa S.A. in Ecuador", 05 October 2023

...On January 15, 2021, the Ecuadorian courts recognized for the first time that the conditions of Furukawa Plantaciones C.A. workers constituted a violation of the right to equality, non-discrimination, the prohibition of slavery by serfdom (servidumbre de la gleba), the right to health, housing, education and identity. The judgment established the responsibility of both the Ecuadorian State and Furukawa Plantaciones C.A. del Ecuador, and ordered them to implement several clearly stipulated reparation measures. On appeal, the Provincial Court of Justice of the Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas region confirmed the company's liability, but exonerated the Ecuadorian State from liability. It did not revoke the reparation measures in favor of the workers...

Almost three years later, no progress has been made in the application of this sentence, while the economic and social situation of the abacaleros is increasingly precarious and the threats and harassment against them for their legitimate human rights claims have worsened. So far, six former workers of the company have died without knowing the justice of their case, due to health problems that they never had the possibility of medical treatment, dozens are still sick with precarious medical attention and undignified living conditions...

The irresponsibility of the Furukawa company and the Ecuadorian government and the lack of comprehensive reparation has exacerbated the risk situation of the abacaleros, who continue to demand recognition of their rights, despite living in highly vulnerable conditions.

...[T]he undersigned organisations:

• Express our concern about the delay of the Constitutional Court in examining the case. We reinforce that this process is being closely followed by the international community;
• Agree that it is the duty of the Ecuadorian authorities to guarantee the protection and fundamental rights of the former Furukawa workers throughout their human rights struggle;
• Ask the Ecuadorian authorities to enforce the sentence of the Provincial Court of Justice of Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, including compliance by Furukawa Plantaciones C. A of full reparation;
• Express our solidarity and support to the human rights defenders and former workers of Furukawa Plantaciones C. A.

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