Ecuador: CFWIJ demands swift investigation into the death threats against journalist Virginia Suárez

September 3, 2021, Ventanas – Journalist Virginia Suárez was threatened with death by an unknown commentator during her live broadcast. Virginia filed a criminal complaint with the Los Ríos Prosecutor's Office for the crime of intimidation against her. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) is extremely concerned about the journalist’s safety. We demand Ecuadorian authorities to conduct a swift investigation into the threats and ensure Virginia’s safety. 

 Facebook-based news outlet Digital Vir’s Virginia Suárez was threatened twice during her live broadcast called “Tus Noches con Virginia” (Your nights with Virginia). The first threat occurred on August 24 while she was reporting from a local cemetery. An unknown social media user commended the program and wrote, “You probably want to be found in the cemetery as well, with your mouth open and full of flies.” Thereafter the comment was deleted. Meanwhile, the journalist was interviewing complaints from locals about the town officials' efforts to expropriate the land to expand the cemetery.

 Three days later, the journalist returned to the same place to report the situation and upon leaving she saw a note placed through the window of her car saying, "If you continue reporting about complaints, you will end up in the cemetery full of sideburns" and added, "if you continue you will die in the garbage dump." Having received the second threat, the journalist filed a criminal complaint to the Los Ríos Prosecutor's Office. 

 According to the interview she did with Fundamedios, the journalist stated that she revealed notes about the abandonment of the General Cemetery of Ventanas, the expropriation of land from citizens, the violation of the drinking water system and environmental contamination. She acknowledged the situation is alarming and she intended that the Prosecutor's Office could act promptly. 

 The Coalition For Women In Journalism urges the Ecuadorian authorities and the security forces to urgently address Virginia’s security concerns and assure her safety by arresting the perpetrators of the threats against her and bringing them to justice. We believe that these smear campaigns aim to intimidate women and silence their voices. We reiterate that online and offline threats can manifest serious consequences of physical attacks, home invasions and, in the worst-case scenario, murder.