The International Association of Prosecutors deplores the murder of Ecuador prosecutor Federico Estrella

The Independent Association of Prosecutors (IAP) is the only world organization of prosecutors, prosecuting authorities and associations. It covers six continents and over 175 jurisdictions, and represents over 200,000 prosecutors. It is a non-political and non-governmental organization, and enjoys special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. 
 
The IAP is committed to upholding the rights of prosecutors, and this includes their personal safety and that of their families. In the IAP’s “Standards for Protection and Security of Prosecutors”, it is stated that “States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that public prosecutors, together with their families, are physically protected by the appropriate authorities when their personal safety is threatened as a result of the proper discharge of their functions”. States, moreover, are enjoined to provide any necessary protections for prosecutors and their families “at home or when travelling”. 
 
The IAP has learned with great sadness of the murder of Federico Estrella, a Prosecutor in Babahoyo, Los de Rios Province, Republic of Ecuador, on August 15, 2022. He was shot multiple times while returning to his home, and died shortly afterwards. The Commander General of Police is now investigating the killing, in conjunction with the prosecutorial authorities, and those responsible for this horrendous crime must be brought to justice.
 
As this is the fourth killing of a prosecutor in Ecuador in 2022, an intolerable situation has developed. The IAP calls upon the Government of Ecuador to urgently review the adequacy of its existing security arrangements for prosecutors, and to consider how they can be strengthened. If prosecutors are to uphold criminal justice, maintain the rule of law, and hold criminals to account, they, and their families, must be adequately protected. 
 
The IAP stands ready to provide the Government of Ecuador with such support as it can to promote prosecutorial safety in the Republic of Ecuador.
 
IAP
August 20, 2022