The Defensoría del Pueblo of Ecuador reports that at least 24 inmates in prisons under military control have died, with some showing signs of alleged torture, in the context of the state of emergency declared earlier this year by President Daniel Noboa. This finding adds gravity to the ongoing crisis and underscores concerns about the treatment of people detained in facilities overseen by security forces. [Defensoría del Pueblo de Ecuador, 2024]
The agency released a formal assessment of the prison situation after conducting visits to several detention centers nationwide. The report covers the period from February 9 to March 7. The national penitentiary authority, SNAI, has yet to publicly respond to the findings. [Defensoría del Pueblo de Ecuador, 2024]
<!–[–]
The Defensoría emphasizes that, given the critical conditions identified, the Institución Nacional de Derechos Humanos (INDH) must urge every branch of the state to meet the necessary standards that safeguard the right to life and personal integrity. The body calls on the Government to act urgently, diligently, and consistently with a genuine human rights approach that guarantees the lives and well-being of those deprived of liberty. [Defensoría del Pueblo de Ecuador, 2024]
The Defensoría also requests the Fiscalía to conduct the appropriate investigations and asks the Armed Forces and the Policía Nacional to maintain ongoing oversight of their personnel safeguarding detention centers, ensuring strict respect for fundamental rights of the inmates. [Defensoría del Pueblo de Ecuador, 2024]
Moreover, it has urged the Ministry of Economy and Finance to provide the necessary resources to guarantee food service, and the Ministry of Health to ensure comprehensive health access. It has also directed the Ministry of Human Rights to train agents on these matters. [Defensoría del Pueblo de Ecuador, 2024]
[–>
The current wave of violence and insecurity in Ecuador intensified after the January 7 discovery of the escape of Adolfo Macías, known as “Fito,” the leader of Los Choneros, from the Guayaquil Regional Prison. In the aftermath, the government declared a state of emergency, citing an internal armed conflict linked to the activities of armed groups, later branded as terrorists. [Defensoría del Pueblo de Ecuador, 2024]