Tungurahua for the disappearance of his son.61 50. On July 29, 2001, a demonstration march of around "four thousand peasants from the communities of the Quero Canton who are part of the Consortium of Peasant Boards" publicly expressed their repudiation of the abuses perpetrated by criminal groups made up of local members, among whom, they claimed, was Fredy Núñez Naranjo.62 51. On August 2, 2001, the mother of the alleged victim filed a complaint through the Ecumenical Commission for Human Rights (CEDHU) for the disappearance of her son.63 52. On August 13, the Inspector General of the National Police called for the initiation of investigations.64 On August 15, 2001, statements from two police officers were received. The first of them, who participated in the arrest of the alleged victim, stated that the Provincial Commander was aware of what might have happened to the alleged victim but that, even so, the authorities of that locality "have not taken action on the matter."65 The second in command of the police station from which Fredy Núñez Naranjo was taken stated that "we have reached out to various authorities of the canton to inquire about the whereabouts of Fredy Núñez Naranjo, without receiving any collaboration from anyone on the matter."66 53. On August 16, 2001, a police report was issued in which the procedures performed were recorded.67 In it, it was noted that the immediate family of the alleged victim refused to provide information due to the fear arising from the threats they had endured.68 Furthermore, it was concluded that, based on the preliminary investigation conducted, the members of the Puñachizag and Shaushi communities who participated in the kidnapping and subsequent transfer of Fredy Núñez Naranjo had apparently been "led by Mr. [RBV], who served as President of the Central Boards of Peasants of the Quero Canton, as well as [by] Messrs. [AV], [BT], [OM] and [OF]; members of the mentioned communities," would apparently had "direct participation in the kidnapping [... as well as in] the threats directed at [the] family members."69 Similarly, it was pointed out as "pending work" to "try to locate and find citizen Freddy Marcelo Núñez Naranjo."70 54. Subsequently, the father of the alleged victim filed another complaint with the District Attorney of Tungurahua, which was legally recognized on August 18, 2001.71 In it, he indicated Cf. Police Report No. 1123-PJT-CP9-2001 of August 16, 2001 (case file of evidence, page 13). Cf. Police Report No. 1123-PJTCP9-2001 of August 16, 2001 (case file of evidence, page 24). 63 Cf. Police Report No. 1123-PJTCP9-2001 of August 16, 2001 (case file of evidence, page 12). 64 Cf. Police Report No. 1123-PJTCP9-2001 of August 16, 2001 (case file of evidence, page 12). 65 Cf. Testimonial statement of MV of August 15, 2001 (case file of evidence, page 37). 66 Cf. Testimonial statement of LAPV of August 15, 2001 (case file of evidence, page 323). 67 Cf. Police report No. 1123-PJT-CP9-2001 from August 16, 2001 (case file of evidence, pages 20 to 26). 68 Regarding: i) Sixto Núñez “stat[ed] that […] he cannot provide […] information about the disappearance of his son, due to threats by all the members of the Puñachisag and Shaushi Community, who are led by Mr. [RBV, …] President of the Central Board of Peasants of the Quero Canton, as well as Mr. [AV], a resident of the Puñachisag community”; ii) María Gregoria Naranjo refused to provide information because her two daughters and grandchildren were living in the city of Quero and therefore “we[re] in grave danger due to threats from the members of the Puñachisag and Shaushi communities”, and iii) Silvia Núñez Naranjo “sta[ted] that she cannot provide […] information […because] she is living in the Quero Canton under conditions and threats from the members of the Puñachisag and Shaushi Community.” Cf. Police Report No. 1123-PJT-CP9-2001 of August 16, 2001 (case file of evidence, page 22). 69 Cf. Police Report No. 1123-PJT-CP9-2001 of August 16, 2001 (case file of evidence, page 25). 70 Cf. Police Report No. 1123-PJT-CP9-2001 of August 16, 2001 (case file of evidence, page 15). 71 Cf. Resolution of the Fourth Criminal Court of Tungurahua dated May 10, 2002 (case file of evidence, page 56). 61 62 -18-