----- Original Message ----- From: George G To: M-L List Sent: Saturday, June 24, 2000 11:26 PM Subject: MLL: Ecuadorean Teachers on Hunger Strike Spanish Original is below the English translation Hunger Strikes Throughout Ecuador The Ecuadorian teachers have begun hunger strikes in all the provinces of the country to achieve the fulfillment of their platform of struggle and for the freedom of their 12 detained leaders, among them Aracely Moreno, their national president. In total, more than 300 teachers, parents and students are on hunger strikes throughout the country and the number is growing with new people joining in. In Quito, the teachers took over the Provincial Council to carry out the strike, which includes more than 40 people in that city. President Noboa has said that "while they are on strike that woman (Aracely Moreno) will not be set free", which is an acceptance of the fact that her arrest is political and has no legal basis, nor does it correspond to the decisions of the Court. Even the Judge of the Third Court states that "he received orders" without making clear from where and he admits that not he cannot charge Aracely for libel since she has parliamentary immunity. The supposed libels are accusations by Aracely Moreno referring to the fact that approval of the so-called Tole Law will directly benefit brothers of the President of the Republic. International solidarity is necessary to defend the life of the teachers on hunger strike. NATIONAL TEACHERS UNION -UNE Huelgas de hambre en todo Ecuador El magisterio ecuatoriano ha dado inicio en todas las provincias del pa�s a las huelgas de hambre para lograr el cumplimiento de su plataforma de lucha y por la libertad de 12 dirigentes detenidos, entre los que se encuentra Aracely Moreno, presidenta nacional. En total, se encuentran m�s de 300 maestros y maestras, padres de familia y estudiantes en huelga de hambre en todo el pa�s y el n�mero va creciendo con nuevas incorporaciones. En Quito, los maestros tomaron el Consejo Provincial para realizar la huelga, que incluye en dicha ciudad a m�s de 40 personas. El Presidente Noboa ha dicho que "mientras est�n en paro esa se�orita (Aracely Moreno) no saldr� libre", lo que es una aceptaci�n de que su arresto es pol�tico y no tiene bases legales ni corresponde a decisiones de la Corte. Incluso el juez de la tercera corte dice que "recibi� �rdenes" sin aclarar de donde y acepta que no puede enjuiciar a Aracely por calumnias ya que ella tiene inmunidad parlamentaria. Las supuestas calumnias son denuncias de Aracely Moreno referentes a como la aprobaci�n de la llamada Ley Trole beneficiar� directamente a hermanos del Presidente de la Rep�blica. La solidaridad internacional se hace necesaria para defender la vida de los maestros en huelga de hambre. UNI�N NACIONAL DE EDUCADORES -UNE-
