A report presented by members of CODHAL (CEDE, GRACIA, NOFEC, ALMA, ADE) in December 2022 denounces a profound human rights crisis and the breakdown of the rule of law in Ecuador. Since 2018, the judicial system has been dismantled through the 2018 Referendum and the Transitional Council for Citizen Participation and Social Control, undermining judicial independence and the separation of powers.
This situation facilitated the use of lawfare and political persecution against leaders of the Citizen Revolution such with convictions based on unfair trials and inhumane treatment. International organisations such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the UN Special Rapporteur on Judicial Independence have condemned these acts, including the removal of 70% of judges from the National Court of Justice.
Additionally, the report denounces the violent repression of social protests (October 2019, June 2022), the excessive use of force and criminalisation of indigenous leaders, and a serious prison crisis with more than 400 violent deaths due to overcrowding and lack of investment.
The report concludes with concern about President Lasso’s 2022 referendum, which seeks the militarisation and politicisation of the justice system.
18.-Report-on-the-situation-of-serious-violations-of-the-rule-of-law-and-of-fundamental-rights-and-freedoms-in-Ecuador-december-2022
