Ecuador presented a detailed list of voluntary pledges and commitments in support of its candidature for membership for the period 2016-2018 on 5 October 2015.
At international level, Ecuador pledged, inter alia, to: strengthen the Council as an independent and non-selective human rights body; acknowledge the universal periodic review as the sole mechanism for compliance and for the assessment of the status of human rights throughout the world; reaffirm the commitment of Ecuador to the OHCHR and the regional offices in investigations, dissemination, the exchange of best practices, and responses to complaints made to the corresponding mechanisms and special procedures of alleged human rights violations; propose or support the adoption of new international instruments to protect human rights and to promote consultations with affected persons; and continue to offer an alternative approach to the current development model.
At domestic level, Ecuador pledged, inter alia, to: consolidate the work of the National Commission for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law of Ecuador, the reform of the social rehabilitation system and to implement the prison management model comprehensively; continue with the inclusive policy of democratization of access to primary, secondary and higher education for prisoners; strengthen human rights training and education; within the framework of the International Decade for People of African Descent, to continue the implementation by the Government of Ecuador of the National Agenda for the Equality of Ethnicities and Peoples; reduce and prevent hazardous child labour; support active citizenship of the older population and positive ageing, and the promotion of the rights of older persons; continue with the progressive implementation of the National Plan for the Eradication of Gender-Based Violence; promote the establishment of a network of national mechanisms for gender equality, in cooperation with other countries; strengthen the Judiciary School with basic, continuing and specialized training programmes; continue with high-level dialogue to establish a comprehensive public policy for LGBTI population; continue with the inclusive policy and programmes implemented by the Government related to the rights of persons with disabilities; and provide technical assistance to countries in the region.
An analysis of steps taken by Ecuador in fulfilment of its international pledges shows that it does maintain a Standing Invitation, and has facilitated 68% Special Procedures visits. Ecuador has also responded to 76% of the communications it received. Ecuador demonstrates similarly high levels of cooperation with the UPR (it was represented at vice-presidential level, and has presented a mid-term report). In terms of cooperation with Treaty Bodies, Ecuador is Party to all the core conventions and submitted all its periodic reports, although two of these, where presented late. Ecuador participated in around half of all debates at the Council.
Cooperation with international human rights system
Most overdue report
Fulfilment of past voluntary pledges & commitments