Civil society organizations were concerned about the situation of children because the government had declared an internal armed conflict because they believed forced recruitment had taken place.
On January 9, President Daniel Noboa issued an executive decree recognizing the existence of an internal armed conflict and identifying 22 criminal groups.
For Manuel Martínez, coordinator of the Pact for Children and Young People, the state authorities are violating the constitution and other regulations.
He added that there was agreement that public authorities and the state system would confront insecurity head-on and forcefully, but not that attacks or humiliations would occur.
He argued that a teenager who committed a crime must be punished and that there is special justice and sanctions for him.
They report a gathering of people near the prison after military and police intervention
Efigenia Witt, from the Coalition Against Child Sexual Abuse in Ecuador, cited Article 369.1 of the Comprehensive Organic Penal Code (COIP), which – she added – sanctions the recruitment of children for criminal purposes such as organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorism, among other things, with a prison sentence of up to 16 years for recruiters.
Witt mentioned that they were recruited from the poorest, most marginalized and stigmatized sectors of society.
For his part, Jorge León, from the Alliance for Children and Youth of Ecuador, pointed out that there are concerns not only about the recruitment of criminal gangs, but also about the other children who are not taken into account by society in certain aspects of education or health.
They arrest three suspected extortionists in Jujan who demanded $50,000 not to attack a businessman
Vivian Hidrobo, coordinator of the Alliance of Organizations for Human Rights of Ecuador, mentioned that minors are victims of the state's neglect of their rights.
He explained that the Ombudsman's Office has tools to activate protection mechanisms for children and wondered what the plan is to take action against school dropouts or children begging?
In a press conference held this Monday in Quito, they also made several proposals, including that the Service for the Care of Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI), which manages the penal system in Ecuador, should present a report on the situation of juvenile offenders. or that no school or health unit may be used as a unified military or police command post. (JO)