Death of 394 people deprived of liberty in Ecuador reported
Advocates insist on the urgency of restoring adequate food, health and rehabilitation services for detainees.
They hold the authorities of the Social Rehabilitation System, and in particular, President Daniel Noboa, responsible for the deaths in prisons. Photo: @CDHGYE
September 15, 2025 Hour: 9:46 pm
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The Permanent Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDH) of Ecuador reported this Monday that 394 people deprived of liberty died in Guayaquil during 2025, mostly due to health causes and human rights violations.
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In demanding the declaration of emergency in the prison system, with priority given to the Guayas No. 1, Esmeraldas, and Cotopaxi Deprivation of Liberty Centers (CPL), the Committee insisted on the immediate restoration of adequate food and health services, as well as visits and rehabilitation programs, with effective judicial oversight and independent auditing.
The data, the group points out, coincide with reports from prison judges and the Ombudsman’s Office on violations of the rights to food, health, and rehabilitation.
Upon verifying the conditions of the Guayas CPL No. 1 on April 22, 2025, “we verified treatment incompatible with human dignity, which is repeated, according to testimonies received, in other centers under military control (such as the CPL in Esmeraldas and Cotopaxi), where adequate food, timely medical care, visits, and rehabilitation activities are denied,” the statement said.
The organization also stated that this is the result of the prison management imposed since March 2024, which, “far from addressing security, staff protection, and corruption, results in more deaths annually than prison massacres and an increase in corruption cases within the Armed Forces.”
By holding the authorities of the Social Rehabilitation System, and in particular President Daniel Noboa, accountable, the CDH denounced that the government has sustained a management that results in preventable deaths and inhumane detention conditions.
Given the indicators of scale, repetition, and state awareness, the organization reiterates that these acts could constitute crimes against humanity.
Given this scenario, the Committee “will continue to activate criminal and constitutional legal actions to ensure the justiciability of the rights of all persons.”
Author: HGV
Source: Agencias
