Title: President of Ecuador Grants Pardons to 130 Women Facing Vulnerability and Minor Sentences
Introduction:
In a recent presidential decree, 130 women in Ecuador who were serving minor sentences and facing vulnerable conditions have been granted a pardon by President Guillermo Lasso. The decision was made following a thorough analysis by various competent institutions, with a focus on providing a second chance to women with catastrophic, terminal, or rare diseases.
Content:
The Care Service for Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI) reported that the technical and individual analysis played a crucial role in identifying women who would benefit from the presidential pardon. These women, who were previously incarcerated, will now have the opportunity to rebuild their lives and enjoy time with their families.
One beneficiary woman expressed her joy at being able to reunite with her family, especially her newborn granddaughter. She stated that the pardon granted her hope and a chance to fight for her illness. Many of these women were also living with their young children in prisons, and their release will allow for a better environment for the children’s mental and psychological development.
President Lasso, during the signing of the pardon, emphasized the importance of not allowing children to grow up in prisons. He highlighted the need to reintegrate these women into society for the betterment of their children’s future. According to SNAI, 71.7% of sentenced women have at least one child living with them in prisons, making their release all the more crucial.
The presidential pardon, as established by Decree 816, requires certain conditions to be met. It includes having an enforceable conviction for crimes such as robbery without causing harm to the victim, no disciplinary sanctions for serious offenses during incarceration, validated health conditions, and no pending criminal processes. The pardon excludes crimes like genocide, forced disappearance, or serious human rights violations.
The director of SNAI, Guillermo Rodríguez, referred to the pardon as an act of humanitarian recognition. He urged the released women to make the most of this second chance and live a life full of purpose and dignity.
The recent prison census conducted in Ecuador revealed several key indicators. With 31,321 prisoners, 93.7% of them are men and 6.3% are women. Drug trafficking, robbery, and homicide were identified as the top crimes leading to prison sentences. However, the census also highlighted the urgent need for state control and intervention, with recommendations from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and concerns regarding overcrowding and pretrial detention abuse.
The prison system in Ecuador has faced troubling incidents of violence in recent years, resulting in the deaths of over 400 prisoners. The lack of a sufficient state response to these issues has drawn international criticism. President Lasso hopes that the prison census and subsequent measures taken by the administration will improve conditions within the prisons and address the crisis in the prison system.
Conclusion:
The presidential pardon granted to 130 vulnerable women in Ecuador serves as a ray of hope for those who were serving minor sentences. This compassionate measure not only benefits the women directly but also aims to provide a better future for their children. The release of these women, along with the ongoing efforts to address the issues in the prison system, marks a crucial step towards ensuring fairness and rehabilitation within the Ecuadorian criminal justice system.