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Ecuador

https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/

August 2024

A year after Yasuní referendum, oil drilling continues

A year after Ecuadorians voted to end oil drilling in the Yasuní national park, the government has not yet ended its operations. A high court decision had given authorities a one-year period to stop oil exploration and comply with the results of the August 2023 referendum. A group of UN experts has called on the government to respect popular will, amid concern over reports that new drilling was taking place, and the impact that extraction activities have on Indigenous peoples’ lands and livelihoods, and the environment. Environmental activists who, along with Indigenous leaders and groups had pushed for the referendum to take place, have asked the Court to hold an urgent hearing on the matter. President Daniel Noboa’s administration has requested an extension from the high court to allow for a gradual shut-down over a five-year period, as the government relies on revenue from oil to address its pressing security situation. 

Sources: OHCHR, El Comercio, Voz de America, El Pais, International IDEA

June 2024

Prison population faces food insecurity

Starting 1 June, the government ceased to have a provider of food services for Ecuador’s prison population. Reports of food insecurity faced by persons deprived of their liberty had already highlighted the sudden suspension of meals in some penitentiaries, which are currently under control of the military. However, conditions detiorated when the government and the private contractor providing food services terminated their working relationship. Families have organized donations of food, but they claim it is insufficient, as reports that some people are only given one meal a day have emerged. Prison officials claim that the service provider had links to organized crime and have stated they are hurriedly working on hiring a new provider, but in the meantime claim that all meals are guaranteed through donations from businesses. Families of imprisoned men have staged protests to demand a better treatment of their relatives, denouncing other reports of mistreatment.

Sources:  Infobae, Ecuavisa, CNN

May 2024

Emergency measures are scrutinized by Court and human rights organizations

The government’s extension of a state of exception in five provinces due to an ‘armed conflict’ was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court on 10 May. An insufficient justification of the existence of an internal armed conflict, lack of territorial demarcation and temporality were among the reasons given by the Court. On 22 May the government decreed a state of exception again in seven provinces, including the five covered by the ruling, but was struck down by the Court on 14 June.

Human rights advocates have criticized the term ‘internal armed conflict’ to characterize gang violence, saying that the legal requirements are not met (such as the degree of organization and intensity of hostilities). They have reported an increase in human rights violations, including in the penitentiary system. The allegations triggered an investigation by the country’s Ombudsperson that found at least 24 deaths of inmates between February and March, some of whom appeared to be victims of violent deaths and torture. Reports of the suspension of meals have furthered the concerns of family members and human rights defenders.

Sources: Prensa Latina, CNN, Vistazo (1), Vistazo (2), Telesur TV  

April 2024

Ecuador holds constitutional referendum and plebiscite focused on security
Election flag

On 21 April, through a single ballot, citizens participated in both a binding referendum on constitutional amendments and a consultative plebiscite on other questions. Citizens voted ‘Yes’ to referendum questions related to amending the constitution to permit armed forces to support the national police (by 72 per cent), the extradition of Ecuadorean nationals subject to certain conditions (by around 65 per cent), and the establishment of judiciaries specialized in constitutional issues (by 60.5 per cent). Conversely, they rejected the use of international arbitration in investment disputes, as well as a proposal to reform the constitution and Labour Code to include hourly and fixed-term work contracts. 

Regarding the plebiscite questions, a majority of voters agreed to the armed forces carrying out checks in detention centres, increasing prison terms for certain crimes, among other security-related issues.  

These plebiscite questions will move on to the National Assembly for consideration. Despite mandatory voting, 28 per cent of eligible voters abstained. 

Sources: El Pais, The New York Times, CNN  

Police carry out raid in Mexican Embassy in Quito

Ecuador’s national police carried out a raid on the Mexican embassy in Quito on 5 April, escalating an ongoing diplomatic dispute. Ecuador’s military and police agents breached the diplomatic mission to detain Jorge Glas, a former vice president who had taken refuge in the embassy since December, after being convicted of corruption-related crimes. Mexico ended diplomatic relations with Ecuador and, along with other countries, has protested a transgression of the inviolability of its diplomatic mission, in contravention of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Ecuador argues that Mexico’s attempts to grant political asylum to a person convicted of ordinary and not political crimes was a breach of international law. Mexico has filed an application against Ecuador before the International Court of Justice, which heard arguments on its request for provisional measures in late April and early May.   

Sources: BBC, El Pais, France 24  

See all event reports for this country

Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023

Chevron
Representation
55/173
Rights
89/173
Rule of Law
93/173
Participation
69/173
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Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
18 190 484
System of government
Presidential system
Head of government
President Daniel Noboa (since 2023)
Head of government party
Acción Democrática Nacional
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
List Proportional Representation
Women in lower or single chamber
43.1%
Women in upper chamber
Not applicable
Last legislative election
2023
Head of state
President Daniel Noboa
Selection process for head of state
Direct election (modified two-round)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
07/11/2022
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
94,25%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
State Party
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
State Party
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
Regional Treaties
American Convention on Human Rights
State Party
Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Global State of Democracy Indices

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Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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