Ecuador's Dialogue on Inequality to Continue Until December

Ecuadorean lawmakers will continue to meet with citizens and grassroots organizations across the country to discuss various government-led proposals in support of social justice.

According to National Assembly President Gabriela Rivadeneira, the national dialogue, which began last June following right-wing protests, focuses on several laws currently under discussion in the legislature, including proposals to increase inheritance and capital gains taxes on top earners.

“We have coordinated regional meetings that will be carried out between legislative representatives along with local community members in order to engage in dialogue,” Rivadeneira said Tuesday.

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Rivadeneira went on to note that the primary aim of the dialogue is to provide a platform for Ecuadorean citizens to construct and develop political proposals in the interests of social justice.

Since the government-led initiative began, government officials have held 15 roundtable discussions with civil society groups, social movements and community groups from across the country.

The decision to extend the national dialogue also coincides with the recent announcement by Ecuador’s foreign minister, Ricardo Patiño, who will take a two-month leave of absence from his post in order to mobilize social movements and organizations around the proposals.

Patiño, who is one of the most influential political figures in the country, has strong ties with civil society organization, largely due to his leading role in the historic constituent assembly process back in 2008.

Meanwhile, the Ecuadorean parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of a resolution Tuesday recognizes the right to freedom of expression and also cites the importance of the national dialogue “as a democratic means to resolve differences and advance towards the construction of most just, equal and united Ecuador.” By a vote of 84 in favor to 30 against, lawmakers also condemned violence and destabilization attempts in the country.