The laureates

Description

Dennis de la Cruz is an Afro-Ecuadorian communications specialist and social mediator who has been advocating for human rights since 2007. He has been actively involved in organizations and collectives working on issues related to community communication, popular education, and the promotion of rights.He works at the Regional Human Rights Advisory Foundation (Inredh), one of the most important human rights organizations in Ecuador. Dennis is also a member of “El Churo,” an organization that supports community education initiatives, and the activist digital platform “Wambra.” Between 2018 and 2021, he produced several documentaries on extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, migration, and extractivism (e.g., “Brutal como el rasgar deun fosforo). He is also a member of the coalition of organizations advocating for digital rights in Ecuador.

Dennis De la Cruz interview - 04/19/24

Can you introduce yourself ?

My name is Dennis De La Cruz, and I work in advocacy at one of Ecuador’s oldest human rights organizations, Inrehd. I am part of the communications team, where I am primarily responsible for research and audiovisual production. I also ensure that our digital platforms—such as our website, email accounts, and so on—run smoothly.

Can you describe your work as a human rights advocate?

As a human rights advocate, I am particularly committed to cybersecurity. In Ecuador, technologies used to monitor the population (surveillance camera systems) have become widespread and are being installed with the government’s approval to reduce insecurity and crime. Nevertheless, not only have these systems failed to reduce insecurity in Ecuador, but they have also been misused to monitor the population—particularly human rights defenders and people who are already subject to discrimination.

The absence of standards implies a lack of regulation regarding their use. That is why, during political crises, these systems are used to monitor dissidents and opponents. Consequently, they do not protect citizens but are used to persecute them.

That is why, as part of my participation in the Marianne Initiative, I aim to draft an initial bill on the regulation of surveillance camera use in order to protect human rights defenders in Ecuador.

Why did you decide to advocate for human rights?

As an Afro-Ecuadorian, I was perceived and treated differently from the rest of the population. In Ecuador, minorities—particularly Afro-Ecuadorian and Indigenous people—are marginalized and face violations and restrictions of their fundamental rights (access to education, health care, drinking water, etc.). Faced with these injustices from childhood onward, I knew I had to do something to promote and protect the rights of marginalized communities. That is why I chose to dedicate my life and my work to this cause, in order to change this reality.

What do you expect from the Marianne Initiative in terms of strengthening your project?

My hope for the program is to build more connections so that we can work together to advance human rights and receive international support. This international dimension is key. If Ecuador is under the international community’s scrutiny, it may prompt the authorities to develop measures to address current issues. Furthermore, my participation in the Initiative gives me an international platform to denounce the abuses.

In addition, Ecuadorian organizations are facing a complex economic situation, as they lack the resources and staff needed to carry out their activities. It is therefore important for me to secure support and funding.

What do you expect from the activities of the Marianne Initiative program? ?

As part of the Marianne Initiative, I’m taking training courses and meeting various prominent figures. Through this experience, I’m developing a different perspective on work in the field of human rights. The program also allows me to gain essential knowledge about the courts and the European system.In addition, he connects me with organizations and governments to explore potential partnerships. These exchanges allow me to learn from the experiences of other French and international stakeholders and to share my own as an expert in digital rights.

For example, the French government had been an important ally for the Ecuadorians during the United Nations Universal Periodic Review.

What are your plans after the program ends?

After spending six months in France, I will return to Ecuador and continue my work with INREHD. I will thus carry on with my work and my commitment, drawing on the contacts and tools I acquired during the Marianne Initiative program. I hope to maintain my ties with the teams at the Initiative and the French government, who have supported me in my efforts to promote human rights.

Would you like to add anything else ?

The current situation in Ecuador is very concerning. Human rights defenders are being stigmatized because official rhetoric blames them for the country’s problems. The needs of the population are being ignored, rights are being curtailed, and the population is being controlled. The lack of concrete measures to change the situation—as well as the militarization, the erosion of human rights, and the stigmatization of communities—worries me greatly.