21 December 1998
It is almost a month since the Ecuador union leader Saúl Cañar was detained presumably by military, and his body was found in a garbage dump with evident signs of torture. The citizens and workers demand an explanation of this crime.
QUITO, Ecuador.- Faced with these demands the first meeting of the Interinstitutional Commission investigating the circumstances of the disappearance, torture and murder of the union leader, will take place today.
The Commission is made up of representives of the United Workers Front, Episcopal Conference, Congressional Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International, Permanent Assembly on Human Rights, Service of Peace and Justice, and the Public Defender.
In the meeting which will take place in the Public Defender's office, the commissioners will formulate an evaluation and follow-up of the investigations carried out by the Judicial Police and other State intelligence organs.
Up to now the authorities and the police believe that the assassination of Saúl Cañar was a matter of personal vengeance, discounting the action of paramilitaries as was believed immediately following the report of various people who saw the leader's detention on 24 November.
Nobody believes the authorities' version since the witnesses affirm that Saúl Cañar was detained by 8 people who travelled in vehicles used exclusively by the Army and one of those concerned called another "Colonel".
(c) 1998, Púlsar
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