Date: Wed, 06 Aug 1997 09:16:18 +0200 From: ILGA Subject: PUMPKINS FOR THE ECUADORIAN AMBASSADOR IN SPAIN Note: The following press release refers to "giving pumpkins". In hispanic countries this signifies the "booby-prize" or general disappointment. PUMPKINS FOR THE ECUADORIAN AMBASSADOR IN SPAIN Protest against anti-homosexual repression This morning, ILGA Co-General Secretaries, Jordi Petit (Barcelona) and Jennifer Wilson (Sidney) sent the Ecuadorian Ambassador in Spain a box of pumpkins, as symbol of "failure" in Human Rights in his country. ILGA (International Lesbian and Gay Association), founded in 1978, is the world-wide federation of over 300 homosexual organisations around the world. His Excellency, Don Blasco Peņaherrera, the Ecuadorian Ambassador, is being sent these pumpkins as protest against the arrest of 14 men in a gay bar in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador, on the 14th of June. ILGA demands the abolition of article 516 of the Ecuadorian Penal Code, dating from 1938, which punishes homosexual acts between consenting adults with prison terms of 4 to 8 years. The OAS has already asked the government of Ecuador to cease homosexual repression in 1994. The attached letter was sent to the Ecuadorian Ambassador in Spain ILGA Communications Committee ------------------------------------------------- Barcelona / Sidney Dated, 31 July 1997 Sr. Don Blasco Peņaherrera Ecuadorian Ambassador in Spain Your Excellency We have the honour of addressing you on behalf of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), founded in 1978 as a federation of 300 homosexual organisations in 75 countries throughout the world. Our greetings. We are deeply distressed to observe that 14 men were arrested because of their homosexuality, in a bar in the city of Cuenca, on the 14th of June. Moreover, one of these men was mistreated and another was denied medical attention when requested. We wish to express our opposition to this neglect of Human Rights and with this in mind, we are sending you a box of pumpkins as symbol of your "failure" in democracy. Please advise your Government of our protest and of our petition for the abolition of article 516 of the Ecuadorian Penal Code. We would also remind you of the urgency of complying with the recommendations of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission of the OAS, which ruled that repressive practices against alternative sexual orientation in Ecuador should be modified. Yours faithfully Jordi Petit / Jennifer Wilson co-General Secretaries ILGA ______________________ There now follows a complete translation of the reply to a letter of protest on the same subject, sent in early July, directly to the Governor of Azuay Province in Ecuador. ______________________ REPUBLIC OF ECUADOR ADMINISTRATION OF AZUAY Cuenca Dated: 25 July 1997 Mr Jordi Petit Barcelona Dear Mr Petit This is to confirm that I have received your letter dated 9 July 1997, expressing your justified distress regarding the events of 14 June, at the bar "Abanicos" in the city of Cuenca, in respect of which I would like to make the following remarks: In my capacity as Foremost Authority of the Province, I have taken the necessary measures to avoid such events being repeated. The Provincial Chief of Police and the National Police have been cautioned and advised of rules of behaviour which will not give rise to denials of human rights in similar circumstances. By the same token, I wish to state that this authority shall respect people's liberty of ideology, religion and sexual choice. The events of the first half of June have served to raise awareness, of the fact that gay groups have equal rights, amongst the people of Cuenca. I have spoken personally with these gay groups and they are aware of my position with regard to this regrettable repression. Regarding article 516 of the Penal Code, which criminalises homosexuality, our Provincial Representatives in Parliament are taking the necessary steps for its elimination. Yours truly God, Country and Liberty [signed] Felipe Vega de la Cuadra GOVERNOR OF AZUAY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ILGA - International Lesbian and Gay Association 81 Kolenmarkt, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium Phone/Fax +32-2-502-2471, E-mail: ilga@ilga.org A federation of over 300 groups from 80 countries fighting for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. We also have over 100 supportive associate and individual members. Will you join us? Contact us for more info!