Ecuador

Corruption, inefficiency, and political interference have plagued Ecuador’s judiciary for years. Although reforms carried out during Moreno’s government to repair damage to democratic institutions inflicted by former President Rafael Correa improved the independence of key institutions, including the Constitutional Court, several other measures continued to undermine judicial independence. Ecuador faces serious human rights challenges, including indiscriminate use of force by security forces; poor prison conditions and violence; restrictions on women’s and girls’ access to reproductive health care; and limited protection of Indigenous people and refugee rights. Ecuador has been severely hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has compounded access to basic rights.