Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families

Fourth periodic report submitted by Ecuador under article 73 of the Convention, due in 2022 * , **

[Date received: 26 January 2026]

I.Background

1.On 21 May 2025, pursuant to article 73 of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families transmitted to the Government the list of issues prior to the submission of the fourth periodic report of Ecuador,in accordance with the simplified reporting procedure.

II.Replies to the list of issues prior to reporting (CMW/C/ECU/QPR/4)

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 1

2.The Government guarantees the substantive participation of civil society organizations, including migrant associations and other stakeholders working to promote the rights of persons in situations of human mobility, in the development, implementation and monitoring of public migration policies. The legal basis for their participation is established in article 392 of the Constitution, which sets out the parameters for coordination between the State and civil society organizations working on issues of human mobility, both nationally and internationally. This approach is also reflected in the preamble of the Organic Act on Human Mobility, which highlights the importance of ensuring the participation of such stakeholders in the shaping of migration policies.

3.To this end, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility established a coordination mechanism known as the National Round Table on Human Mobility. The objective of the Round Table is to supervise, coordinate and evaluate the implementation, at the inter-institutional and intersectoral levels, of public policies aimed at providing support to persons in vulnerable situations. The Round Table is a forum that brings together the Government, the decentralized autonomous governments, international aid agencies, academia, the private sector and civil society.

4.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility set up the Round Table in 2018 to facilitate dialogue on State policies and action relating to persons in situations of human mobility. The Round Table promotes the participation of stakeholders and representatives from various sectors to identify, from a broad perspective, the needs and challenges relating to human mobility in the current context. An example of this mechanism in action was the twenty-sixth meeting of the National Round Table on Human Mobility, held on 27 June 2025, which brought together more than 200 participants to address current migration-related challenges.

5.The National Round Table on Human Mobility and its working groups, namely the Intersectoral Committee on Ecuadorian Returnees and Migrants and the Intersectoral Committee on Foreign Nationals in Ecuador, address the rights of migrant workers in a cross-cutting manner within their respective areas of competence. This makes it possible to identify areas of opportunity and more accurately target policies regarding migrant workers and their families.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 2

6.The Government has concluded a series of bilateral cooperation agreements to address the challenges of human mobility, with a focus on the priority areas of combating the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons and strengthening consular protection and assistance measures for Ecuadorian citizens abroad. These agreements include specific clauses for the protection of the rights of migrants and persons in vulnerable situations.

7.Ecuador has memorandums of understanding with Costa Rica (2024), the Dominican Republic (2025) and Italy (2025) on trafficking in persons, the smuggling of migrants and migration, which establish cooperation mechanisms for the protection of migrants’ rights, the provision of consular assistance and the management of regular, safe and dignified returns, with a special focus on vulnerable groups and the prevention of irregular migration and exploitation.

8.The Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility and its consular network and decentralized offices, prioritizes the provision of assistance to and the protection of the rights of Ecuadorian citizens in vulnerable situations in transit and destination countries, with an emphasis on priority groups, guaranteeing dignified treatment and access to comprehensive consular protection, irrespective of their migration status.

9.Faced with irregular migration flows, including migrants travelling northward to Colombia, Panama and Mexico and beyond, and repatriations from the United States of America, the Government of Ecuador has adopted internal regulatory instruments to ensure adequate support for Ecuadorian migrants, especially those in situations of vulnerability, in the absence of specific bilateral agreements with transit and destination countries.

10.These key instruments include the protocol on protection procedures for Ecuadorian nationals in vulnerable situations abroad, which is designed to provide an immediate response and assistance to migrants at risk; the protocol for the provision of support to Ecuadorian nationals deported from the United States, which ensures respect for their human rights upon arrival; the manual on support and monitoring of cases of Ecuadorian migrants deprived of liberty abroad, which sets out procedures for consular assistance and the defence of their rights; the administrative protocol on the process of searching for and locating missing, disappeared, lost or uncontactable Ecuadorian nationals abroad, which is essential for high‑risk cases on irregular routes; and the protocol on the repatriation of bodies or transfer of remains of Ecuadorian nationals who have died abroad, which guarantees humanitarian assistance and dignity.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 3

11.The Human Mobility Policy is based on a framework of inter-institutional and intersectoral shared responsibility involving various central government entities and the decentralized autonomous governments.

12.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility is the lead agency for public policy on human mobility. Its fundamental role is to coordinate public policies and support strategies that must be implemented by sectoral ministries, government institutions and the respective decentralized autonomous governments. The coordination of the effective implementation of the Convention and the protection of the rights of migrant workers and their families is ensured by the following entities, which are responsible for policy implementation:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility: Coordination, stewardship and provision of consular assistance and protection abroad

Ministry of Human Development: Responsible for social and economic inclusion, with programmes aimed at vulnerable populations, including migrant workers

Ministry of the Interior: Responsible for migration control and internal security, with the obligation to safeguard human rights in the context of migration-related procedures

National Council on Equality in Human Mobility: Entity specializing in the promotion of rights and equality in the context of human mobility

13.With regard to intersectoral and intergovernmental coordination mechanisms, effective coordination is ensured through the following mechanisms at the national, cantonal and municipal levels:

(a)National and intersectoral round tables on human mobility serve as the main forum for coordination, where various entities, including sectoral ministries and decentralized autonomous governments, play an important role in the planning and monitoring of action. To date, 26 meetings of the National Round Table on Human Mobility have been held, enabling sustained coordination with multiple stakeholders from the public and private sectors and civil society.

(b)In terms of coordination across the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, through the Directorate for Inclusion of the Foreign Community and its Regional Directorates, maintains permanent and direct coordination with the ministries and decentralized autonomous governments around the country. This coordination at the decentralized level is essential in guaranteeing the rights of persons in situations of human mobility at the local level.

(c)Pursuant to the Constitution and the Organic Act on Human Mobility, cantonal and municipal governments have convergent powers to implement specific policies and programmes within their jurisdictions. The role of the decentralized autonomous governments is fundamental in:

(i)Ensuring the inclusion of migrant workers and their families in development and land management plans;

(ii)Guaranteeing effective access to local public services, including healthcare, education and housing, irrespective of migration status.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 4

14.The Government, through the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, adopts a proactive approach based on human rights and the principle of non-refoulement, with priority placed on the implementation of special regularization programmes (2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025) that guarantee protection for the fundamental rights of migrants through access to legal status and essential services.

15.As the lead agency for migration control, the Ministry of the Interior has facilitated access to regularization through the registered migrant procedure. Obtaining this certificate is a fundamental requirement for initiating regularization processes, gaining access to immigration amnesties (such as the waiver of fines in specific cases) and facilitating access to fundamental rights such as health, education and employment. Regularization significantly reduces migrants’ vulnerability to abuse and crime perpetrated by State and non-State actors and constitutes an active preventive measure.

16.The table below contains details of the implementation of, and the results obtained in, the various stages of the registered migrant procedure as a key step toward regularization.

Programme (Years)	Indicator	Number of people
Registered migrant procedure – special humanitarian visa (VERHU) (2019–2020)	Individuals registered	245 529
Certificates issued	165 761
Registered migrant procedure – temporary residence visa for exceptional circumstances (VIRTE) (2022–2023)	Individuals registered	199 930
Certificates issued	190 643
Registered migrant procedure – temporary residence visa for exceptional circumstances (VIRTE II) (2024–2025)	Individuals registered	17 961

Source : Office of the Deputy Minister for Human Mobility, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, October 2025.

Period : January 2019–August 2025.

17.The data reflect the scope and magnitude of the action taken to facilitate the regularization of migration status while respecting and upholding the rights of foreign nationals in the country. The issuance of registered migrant certificates facilitates migrants’ transition to regular status, allowing them safe transit within the territory and the effective exercise of their economic and social rights.

18.With regard to the prevention, investigation and punishment of abuses and crimes against migrants by State and non-State actors, the Government reiterates that the criminal and constitutional legal framework applies fully to the protection of migrants. Complaint mechanisms have been strengthened by the Ombudsman’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office, ensuring that alleged violations committed by public officials in the context of migration control operations or by non-State actors, including in connection with offences of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, are investigated, and the perpetrators prosecuted and punished, with due diligence and in accordance with the law. In addition, ongoing training is provided to migration control personnel to ensure full respect for human rights and international standards during operations.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 5

19.In response to the requirement to take measures to establish a centralized, comprehensive and accessible database, the Government recognizes the fundamental need for a tool that allows for the collection and comprehensive analysis of information on all persons in situations of human mobility and that expressly captures data on migrant workers and their families, including those with irregular migration status.

20.Under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, the Government is in the process of implementing the National Integrated Information System on Human Mobility, which is designed to capture information on identity, migration status, migration-related movement and place of residence. Through inter-institutional cooperation, data from key entities and statistical sources will be brought together within the System, in order to ensure a comprehensive approach to the rights of migrants and their families, without discrimination on the basis of migration status.

21.The System has been designed through a comprehensive process, beginning with a dialogue and consultation phase between 2018 and 2020, which included 13 inter‑institutional working meetings to identify data flows and ensure interoperability. Subsequently, after identifying technical challenges in 2022, the Government prioritized the concept design and business architecture, as an essential methodological step. The architecture was successfully finalized in March 2025 thanks to non-reimbursable technical cooperation support from the Inter-American Development Bank. The completion of the architecture represents significant progress, as it provides the conceptual and technological framework necessary for the final stage in the development of the System, which will enable the State to strengthen the management of migration and consular services, as well as substantially improve the provision of information that will help to shape robust public policies on human mobility and citizen security that meet the requirements for transparency and analysis set out in the Convention.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 6 (a)

22.The State Party reports that, in accordance with article 424 of the Constitution, it recognizes the hierarchical superiority of ratified international human rights treaties, which are directly applicable and prevail over other laws.

23.The Constitutional Court has directly invoked several articles of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families to substantiate the protection of rights in the context of human mobility, thereby reaffirming the Convention’s status within the constitutional body of law. In terms of equality and non-discrimination, ruling No. 96-21-JP/25 on obstetric violence against a migrant teenage girl contains a reference to article 7 of the Convention, which enshrines the principles of equal treatment for nationals and non-nationals and non-discrimination. In habeas corpus rulings No. 360-19-JH/25 and No. 365-18-JH/21, relating to the personal integrity of persons deprived of liberty, the Court invoked article 10 of the Convention, which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of migrant workers and their families.

24.The right of the children of migrant workers to identity, nationality and health has also been upheld in constitutional jurisprudence. In ruling No. 13-17-IN/24, which contains an analysis of the constitutionality of the Organic Act on Human Mobility, the Court cited articles 29 and 28 of the Convention. Article 29 enshrines the right of children to a name, to registration of birth and to a nationality, while article 28 guarantees the right to receive medical care that is urgently required, which cannot be refused on the ground of irregular migration status. In ruling No. 335-13-JP/20, on due process in the revocation of nationality, the Court again cited article 29 of the Convention, in conjunction with article 16, which recognizes the right to liberty and security of person for migrant workers.

25.In its landmark ruling No. 2185-19-JP and related cases/21, on birth registration for the children of adolescent migrants, the Court invoked in its central arguments article 29 of the Convention (rights to a name, to registration of birth and to a nationality) and article 28 (medical care) and linked compliance with those articles to the removal of practical obstacles to civil registration, such as fear of deportation. Furthermore, the ruling also contains references to the recommendations of the Committee, with the aim of ensuring more robust application of the principle of the best interests of the child. Similarly, in rulingNo. 1497-20-JP/21, the Court protected the right to education of a migrant girl, in order to combat indirect discrimination through the imposition of unreasonable requirements and promote the principle of equal treatment under article 7 of the Convention (indirectly applicable through the principle of non-discrimination).

26.Lastly, in the context of special protection for unaccompanied children and adolescents, in ruling No. 212-20-EP/24 the Court established the obligations of the transit State with regard to entry and protection, citing article 10 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is complemented by the principles set out in the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. In ruling No. 983-18-JP/21, on effective judicial protection and the right to non-refoulement, although the Court mainly cited article 41 of the Constitution and the concept of jus cogens, it applied the principles underlying article 18 (due process) and other articles of the Convention by protecting migrants and refugees from expulsion to countries where their lives or integrity are at risk. These precedents demonstrate growing and systematic use of the Convention to strengthen the protection of persons in situations of human mobility in Ecuador.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 6 (b)

27.The power to adjudicate and to execute judicial decisions (competence) is exercised by judges throughout the national territory and applies both to Ecuadorian nationals and to foreign nationals, whether they have regular or irregular migration status, except in cases of immunity as recognized under international law. Competence is distributed as follows:

(a)Labour-related matters: The Labour Courts have exclusive competence to examine and decide on individual and collective disputes arising from labour relations. In accordance with the principle of direct application of human rights and the primacy of the most favourable rule (as enshrined in the Organic Code of the Judiciary), these courts must apply the labour rights recognized in the Convention (articles 25 et seq.) on an equal footing with nationals, irrespective of the worker’s migration status;

(b)Migration-related matters and constitutional rights: The judicial units for families, women, children and adolescents and, in cases of constitutional remedies, the multipurpose judicial units or criminal guarantee courts (the latter for habeas corpus cases) are competent to hear cases relating to:

(i)Protective remedies: To protect rights recognized in the Convention that have been violated through acts or omissions by State or non-State actors (for example, the right to health or to education);

(ii)Habeas corpus: This immediately applicable mechanism is the most suitable one for examining the legality and arbitrariness of any deprivation of liberty, including migration-related detention, and ensuring respect for due process and personal liberty (articles 16 and 17 of the Convention);

(iii)Applications for access to public information: Useful in migration-related contexts for obtaining access to data on consular or regularization processes.

28.The Ecuadorian judicial system operates under constitutional guidelines that ensure the full applicability of the Convention:

(a)Directly applicable and prevailing over other laws: Judges are obliged to directly apply constitutional rules and international human rights instruments when the latter are more favourable to individuals, even if they are not expressly invoked by the parties;

(b)Immediate application and enforcement: The rights enshrined in the Constitution and international human rights instruments, including the Convention, are immediately applicable and enforceable. The absence of a law or lack of awareness of the law cannot be invoked to justify a violation of rights, thereby guaranteeing effective legal protection for all migrants.

29.In addition to the judiciary, the following administrative authorities are competent to examine and decide on cases, within the scope of their functions and with full respect for the rights of the Convention:

(a)Ministry of the Interior: Competent to examine and decide on migration status, including by the initiation and resolution of migration regularization processes, amnesties and the application of controls, while always ensuring strict compliance with due process;

(b)Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility: Lead agency for human mobility, with competence to shape policies and respond to requests for international protection and consular matters, in application of the principles of the Convention;

(c)Ombudsman’s Office: Although not a judicial body, the Office is competent to conduct investigations, file constitutional remedies and issue binding resolutions in response to acts or omissions by public authorities that violate the human rights of migrants and therefore acts as an oversight mechanism.

30.In addition, one of the fundamental activities of the Ministry of Labour, which is the lead agency for public labour and employment policies, is to regulate labour obligations and monitor compliance with them to ensure a dignified labour system, rooted in quality and solidarity, aimed at promoting social justice and equal opportunities. The Ministry’s labour inspectors conduct regular labour inspections to check that workers’ rights are not being violated. Inspections are performed in accordance with the procedure regulated by Ministerial Agreement No. MDT-2023-140, which regulates the monitoring of employers’ obligations and inspection procedures. In addition to its regulatory role, the Ministry provides training on labour rights and obligations in order to raise awareness among the parties and monitor compliance with regulations through the active collection of data by inspectors in the course of their activities.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 6 (c)

31.The Automated Court Proceedings System is the tool used for the assignment and processing of court cases in accordance with Resolution No. 204-2023 of the Council of the Judiciary, which records basic information about cases and parties to proceedings. However, the System does not currently include variables such as sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, occupation, migration status or place of detention, meaning that the disaggregation of data has been limited since 2017, with the exception of cases of violence against women or domestic violence. The inclusion of these variables requires technical development by the Council of the Judiciary.

32.The Ministry of the Interior has jurisdiction over migration matters, including permit checks and the enforcement of administrative deportation orders, in line with the principles set out in the Organic Act on Human Mobility, which include freedom of movement, the prohibition of criminalization and due process. Between January 2021 and August 2025, the Ministry conducted 101,763 operations around the country to check migration status. The annual number peaked in 2024 at 34,898 operations and fell to 18,850 in 2025. The majority of its operations are focused on the Provinces of Manabí (5,763), Pichincha (4,948) and Cotopaxi (3,904) and the cities of Guayaquil (9,938), Loja (6,808) and Quito (6,099).

33.With regard to administrative deportation orders, between January 2023 and August 2025, 860 administrative proceedings were initiated (498 in 2024), including 457 hearings and the issuance of 411 decisions. However, only 128 deportations were carried out (representing approximately 15% of the proceedings), owing to factors including compliance with requirements and the application of 824 precautionary measures. The total number of people involved in these proceedings is 860 (713 men and 147 women), with a notable imbalance between the sexes. The majority of cases involved nationals of Venezuela (281, 56 women and 225 men), Colombia (213, 38 women and 175 men), India (79, 1 woman and 78 men), Vietnam (44, 10 women and 34 men) and Bangladesh (21, all men).

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 6 (d)

34.The Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility and its consular network, strengthens the support and assistance provided to Ecuadorian migrants in migration, legal and social matters, in coordination with local organizations and pro bono associations and through the provision of information and training activities aimed at Ecuadorian nationals abroad.

35.With regard to legal assistance for non-nationals, the Public Defence Service provides free legal assistance to vulnerable individuals in all matters, with a differentiated approach to human mobility. Assistance is available in all parts of the country, including through mobile units and virtual services. Between January 2021 and July 2025, legal services were provided to non-nationals on 111,061 occasions: 31,483 consultations and 79,578 instances of legal representation, the latter being the most requested service (more than 60% of service provision each year). The countries of origin with the highest number of cases were Venezuela (53,102), Colombia (33,929) and Peru (1,989). However, 17,481 cases are listed as “country unknown”, and 2,934 cases listed under “other countries” included service users from Cuba, Haiti, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, India and the United States.

36.Of the total number of cases, the proportion relating to non-criminal matters, which accounted for 61.5% (60,344 cases), was higher than that relating to criminal matters (50,717 cases). The categories that arose most frequently were migration (45,626 or 34.8% of the total), criminal matters (35,044) and cases relating to families and children (8,684). The number of cases relating to migration increased significantly each year, from 4,803 in 2021 to 13,829 in 2024, and is expected to reach at least 15,000 by the end of 2025. With regard to user profiles, the majority of service users were adult males, followed by adult females (rising from 8,243 in 2021 to 13,109 in 2024). There has been a gradual increase in the number of children and adolescents using the service. Lastly, demand is highest in Pichincha (30,634), Guayas (11,569), the border-area Provinces of Carchi (10,988) and Imbabura (10,957), and El Oro (6,193).

37.With regard to assistance for Ecuadorian migrants abroad, the Public Defence Service implemented a virtual project entitled “Justice Far from Home” to offer free advice, assistance and legal representation. Between September 2024 and July 2025, when differentiated registration was introduced,71 cases were registered, 60 of which (84.5%) involved the provision of legal advice. The number increased significantly, from 12 cases in 2024 to 48 in 2025. The cases were spread across 18 countries of residence, the main ones being the United States (17 cases, 23.9%), Spain (13 cases, 18.3%), Peru (9 cases) and Chile (8 cases). The most common issues dealt with were tenancy rights (with an increase to 17 cases in 2025), criminal law (with 9 cases in 2025) and victim support (increasing to 8 cases in 2025).

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 6 (e)

38.The Government, through the judiciary, guarantees free access to justice and the effective, impartial and timely protection of individuals’ rights, in a prompt manner and without discrimination. Judicial proceedings are the mechanism for the administration of justice. The National Court of Justice, the Provincial Courts, the tribunals and other courts are responsible for ensuring due process and upholding the right to a defence. The administrative, economic and human resources policies of the judicial bodies are aimed at ensuring quality service and judicial independence.

39.With regard to refugee status determination procedures, article 99 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility sets out specific guarantees of due process. In particular, paragraph 6 recognizes the right to appeal unfavourable decisions, with suspensive effect, thereby preventing the enforcement of the decision, including any deportation or expulsion proceedings, while the administrative appeal is pending.

40.With regard to the granting of visas, the procedures of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility are regulated in accordance with the constitutional principles of due process and non-discrimination as set out in the Organic Act on Human Mobility. Notifications of all administrative actions relating to visas are duly issued, and all such actions can be challenged through both judicial and administrative channels, thus guaranteeing the right of all foreign nationals to lodge effective appeals.

41.In order to prevent labour discrimination and ensure that the proper processes are adhered to when hiring migrant workers, the Ministry of Labour implemented several technical measures. In 2021, with support from the German Agency for International Cooperation, a manual and training guide on human mobility were developed for all labour inspectors nationwide, with the aim of aligning regulations on labour migration. In coordination with the United States Agency for International Development, the World Council of Credit Unions, the CONQUITO initiative and the Without Borders (Sin Fronteras) programme of the Inter-American Development Bank, the Human Resources Recruitment Guide was updated in 2023 to strengthen job placement processes for migrants and local workers, with a focus on regulations and technical aspects.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 7

42.The mission of the Ministry of Education is to guarantee the right to access to education and ensure that students are included, remain in school and complete their education, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations such as those affected by migration. This is achieved by strengthening specific regulations, such as the Organic Act on Intercultural Education and the accompanying regulations and Ministerial Agreement No. MINEDUC-MINEDUC-2023-00064-A and the amendments thereto(No. 2024-00059-A), and by taking action to promote socioeducational inclusion through the provision of socioemotional support by classroom teachers and through the provision of psychosocial support and supervision by student counselling services, whose management model focuses on counselling, promotion and prevention, psychosocial support and socioeducational inclusion.

43.To ensure that students remain in school and complete their education, a number of programmes are being implemented, such as the Safe and Protective Educational Communities initiative, the Comprehensive Education Project, which is aimed at preventing risky forms of migration among children, adolescents and families, the Educating as a Family initiative, which is designed to encourage the involvement of parents, and the National Plans for the Eradication of Violence and the Prevention of Psychosocial Risks, which are focused on nine priority risk areas, including violence and child labour. Between 2021 and 2024, the Ministry provided 52,087 education professionals and administrative staff nationwide with training on the prevention of discrimination and xenophobia through massive open online courses on awareness-raising, violence-free education and restoration. It has also developed action plans using the methodology of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (the “Partners for a Better World” toolkit) in 9 areas, 140 districts and 1,708 priority educational institutions, benefiting 4,322,138 students as at April 2025. These actions are supplemented by specific programmes and protocols such as the National Policy on Coexistence, an interministerial project on preventing risky forms of migration and the Guidelines on coexistence, which are aimed at preventing and responding to discrimination and racism in the national education system.

44.With regard to the recognition of academic study, article 175 of the Regulations to the Organic Act on Intercultural Education and Ministerial Agreement No. MINEDUC-MINEDUC-202400087-A of 18 December 2024 prioritize the certification of documentation through digital mechanisms designed to facilitate the recognition of studies completed and the accreditation of high school diplomas, with the aim of ensuring that students can enter the national education system.

45.The Ministry of the Interior, through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migration, guarantees full respect for the human rights of migrants and promotes their equitable access to essential services without discrimination. Its activities in the area of migration control, including verification, checks and monitoring, are carried out in coordination with the national police and other entities, with the aim of ensuring orderly, safe and regular management of migration and avoiding any form of stigmatization, criminalization or inhumane treatment of persons with irregular migration status.

46.The “Un Solo Rumbo” campaign on the northern border was part of the project on preventing risky forms of migration to the United States and Europe. It included a range of educational and communication tools – written materials, stage plays, videos, jingles and posters – designed to raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration and promote appreciation of national identity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility also promoted the “It Takes a Community” campaign, in conjunction with international organizations, to encourage positive narratives about migration and integration.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 8 (a)

47.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, through the International Protection Directorate, coordinates with the Ministry of the Interior to ensure that persons subject to international protection are not deported. These efforts are undertaken pursuant to article 143.A (i) (1) of the Organic Act on Human Mobility, as amended in 2023, which enshrines the right not to be deported for persons in need of international protection. To ensure compliance with this rule, articles 217 and 219 of the Regulations to the Act require State agents to immediately refer cases to the International Protection Directorate if international protection needs are identified during deportation proceedings. The Ministry of the Interior, as the migration authority, contacts the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility to confirm that protection has not been granted, and the latter Ministry then notifies the relevant consulate or diplomatic mission so that the corresponding consular assistance can be provided (Vienna Convention).

48.Pursuant to article 141 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility, deportation is based on an administrative decision ordering the person to leave the country and prohibiting them from re-entering for three years. The measure can be applied only on legal grounds. The Ministry of the Interior, through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migration, ensures that article 143.A of the Act is strictly complied with in such procedures and that the rights listed below are upheld:

Right to formal notification of the charges

Right to be heard and to present a defence

Right to have access to legal and consular assistance

Right to participation in hearings and to have access to effective remedies

Right to an interpreter where necessary

Right to be notified of the grounds for a decision

Right not to be deported, in cases involving humanitarian grounds or family or social ties

49.Expulsions can be carried out only on the basis of an enforceable court ruling accompanied by a sentence of more than 5 years’ imprisonment. Expulsion orders include a 10-year ban on re-entering the country, except in the cases set out in article 147 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility. In the case of refugees, the competent authority must be informed and refugee status must be revoked in advance, pursuant to article 108 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility, as amended in 2021. Under article 220 of the regulations accompanying the Act, expulsions must not be carried out while an international protection order is in force.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 8 (b)

50.Detailed answers relating to expulsion can be found in the reply to the issues raised in paragraph 8 (a).

51.Between January 2021 and August 2025, 57 judicial expulsion orders were enforced: 2 in 2021, 26 in 2022, 10 in 2023, 13 in 2024 and 6 in 2025.

52.Pursuant to article 136 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility, it is within the sovereign power of the Government of Ecuador to deny entry to a foreign national on the basis of actions or omissions attributable to that person. The denial of entry procedure is carried out in full compliance with the rights and the principle of non-refoulement established in the 2023 amendments to the Act. Article 137 of the Act states that persons seeking international protection cannot be denied entry and that the migration authorities must immediately notify the human mobility authorities so that the relevant protection process can be initiated. Article 216 of the regulations accompanying the Act prohibits denial of entry to victims of trafficking in persons and to applicants for international protection.

53.Article 136.A of the Organic Act on Human Mobility guarantees the following minimum conditions for persons who are denied entry:

They must not remain in the designated holding area for more than 24 hours.

They must not be placed in incommunicado detention or held in restrictive conditions.

They must be informed of the grounds on which they have been denied entry.

They must be given access to an interpreter, consular assistance and legal representation, through the Public Defence Service or the Ombudsman’s Office.

They must be afforded the opportunity to apply for international protection, with the accompanying procedural safeguards.

They must be afforded access to legal remedies with suspensive effect.

54.Between January 2021 and August 2025, entry was denied to 9,043 persons: 1,170 in 2021, 1,660 in 2022, 2,292 in 2023, 2,551 in 2024 and 1,370 in 2025 (to August).

55.The information provided is focused on the minimum guarantees that accompany the procedure for denial of entry, as set out in article 136.A, without specifying the grounds for arrest set out in article 138.A. Denial of entry procedures are always carried out in strict compliance with the Organic Act on Human Mobility and international human rights standards. Affected persons are never held in restrictive conditions and are guaranteed access to legal and consular assistance from the outset of detention.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 9

56.The Government has declared states of emergency for various reasons in recent years. The executive decrees declaring states of emergency issued in 2024 and 2025 provided for the participation of the national police and the armed forces in security operations, but did not grant them migration control powers. The Ministry of the Interior oversees inter-institutional coordination to ensure that migration checks are carried out in accordance with the regulations in force and that human rights are respected. There is no delegation of authority in this area. There have been no reports of arbitrary infringements of the rights of migrant workers and their families in the context of the enforcement of these decrees.

57.Within the framework set out in the Organic Act on Human Mobility, the Ministry of the Interior has directly implemented several executive decrees and ministerial agreements on special migration regularization procedures:

(a)Executive Decree No. 436 (1 June 2022): This decree introduced the registered migrant procedure and established a migration amnesty for Venezuelan nationals and their families who entered through official checkpoints;

(b)Executive Decree No. 698 (22 March 2023): This decree made it mandatory for foreign nationals from all countries to complete the registered migrant procedure in order to obtain a temporary residence visa for exceptional circumstances (VIRTE);

(c)Executive Decrees No. 753 (31 May 2023) and No. 809 (5 July 2023): These decrees allowed Venezuelan nationals who did not enter through official checkpoints to regularize their status, provided they had completed the registered migrant procedure within the established time frame;

(d)Executive Decree No. 370 (27 August 2024): This decree established a new amnesty and special regularization procedure for Venezuelan nationals with an expired registered migrant certificate who have not previously obtained a VIRTE visa.

58.In order to ensure the implementation of these decrees, supplementary ministerial agreements were issued to regulate the procedure and guarantee due process:

(a)Ministerial Agreement No. 007 (17 August 2022): This agreement defined the registration procedure and established an amnesty with regard to penalties imposed for irregular status;

(b)Ministerial Agreement No. 040 (16 June 2023): This agreement reaffirmed the amnesty for foreign nationals with irregular status who entered through regular channels and possess the relevant certificate;

(c)Ministerial Agreement No. 077 (16 August 2023): This agreement extended the expiry date of the registered migrant certificate to allow for the completion of the special regularization procedure, in accordance with Decrees No. 753 and No. 809;

(d)Ministerial Agreement No. MDI-DMI-2024-0148 (30 September 2024): This agreement established a special procedure for the expedited renewal of the registered migrant certificate and exempted holders from migration-related penalties.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 10

59.Between 2024 and August 2025, 135 deportations were carried out by the State under the Organic Act on Human Mobility. Colombian nationals account for the highest number of deportations, with 110 cases, representing approximately 81.5% of the total. They are followed by nationals of Peru (11 cases), Venezuela (9 cases), Chile (1 case) and Turkey (1 case).

60.The data show a marked increase over time. In 2024, 43 deportations were recorded, with peaks in January (8 cases) and December (14 cases). Ninety-two deportations had already been recorded in the first eight months of 2025, with the highest numbers in April (16 cases), May (17 cases), June (16 cases) and August (16 cases). Deportations of Colombian nationals (110 cases) remained steady throughout the period under review, with peaks in December 2024 (12 cases) and May 2025 (16 cases). Deportations of Peruvian nationals (11 cases) were concentrated in September and December 2024 and January and April 2025, while those of Venezuelan nationals (9 cases) occurred sporadically, mainly in July, November and December 2024 and April, June and August 2025. The only other cases involved a Chilean national in April 2025 and a Turkish national in August 2024.

61.The revocation of the residence permit of Cuban journalist Alondra Santiago in mid-2024 was ordered through Decision No. 0000057 of 24 June 2024, issued by the Deputy Minister of Human Mobility. This decision was taken in response to a request from the Ministry of the Interior, based on classified reports concluding that this individual had engaged in acts that constitute an attack against public safety and the institutional structure of the State.

62.The reasoning of the decision was based on subparagraph 3 of article 68 (3) of the Organic Act on Human Mobility and article 116 (3) of its implementing regulations, which provide for the revocation of visas and for the migration authorities to be notified in order to initiate deportation proceedings where a foreign national has committed acts that constitute an attack against State security. The individual concerned was duly notified, exercised her right to challenge the decision through an administrative appeal, which was resolved by the authorities, and filed a motion for constitutional protection. This motion was dismissed at first instance on the ground that no violation of constitutional rights was found, and the individual subsequently filed an appeal against this dismissal. Legal and constitutional safeguards were respected throughout the process, and the revocation of the residence permit did not constitute arbitrary expulsion or an infringement of freedom of expression as it was based on a specific statutory ground.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 11 (a)

63.The consular offices of Ecuador engage in constant dialogue with the authorities of countries hosting Ecuadorian nationals in order to monitor their situation, in particular that of persons with irregular migration status, in detention or facing expulsion. These efforts are intended to uphold due process safeguards and ensure dignified treatment. This work was scaled up as a result of the declaration of emergency, issued through Ministerial Agreement No. 0000015 of 7 February 2025, for embassy and consular staff in the United States, enabling them to take measures to protect the rights of the Ecuadorian community in that country following the tightening of its immigration policy.

64.Regarding the involuntary return of Ecuadorian citizens, statistics disaggregated by sex and age, up to date as at 8 September 2025, are available through the Register of Vulnerable Persons. Under the Circular Migration Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labour, the working conditions of participants are monitored and work contracts concluded must explicitly set out employment terms, including in relation to the worker’s rights, safety, accommodation and travel. In this way, compliance with contractual obligations in host countries is ensured.

65.Between 2023 and 2025, a total of 40,270 Ecuadorian citizens returned to the country in the context of forced returns. The figures show a clear downward trend, with returns declining from 20,150 in 2023 (13,611 men and 6,539 women) to 14,208 in 2024 (10,308 men and 3,900 women), then dropping further to 5,912 in 2025 (4,599 men and 1,313 women).

66.Analysis by age group shows that most returnees are young and economically active, with this group accounting for nearly the entire total. Young adults (ages 18–30) register the highest number, with 17,881 cases, followed closely by adults (ages 31–64), with 17,606 cases. Together, these two groups account for 35,487 returns, representing approximately 88.13% of the total. Men predominate in both categories, with 12,559 men compared to 5,170 women among young adults and 13,493 men compared to 4,213 women among adults over the period under review.

67.A notable 4,741 returnees belong to vulnerable groups, specifically 3,443 children (up to 11 years) and 1,298 adolescents (ages 12–17). The number of returning children peaked in 2023, with 2,649 cases, before declining to 585 in 2024 then to 209 in 2025. Older adults (65 years and over) are the least affected group, with only 42 cases recorded over the period under review.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 11 (b)

68.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, through its diplomatic missions and consular offices, has taken specific measures to strengthen the protection of the fundamental rights of Ecuadorians abroad, with particular emphasis on preventing gender‑based violence, femicide and arbitrary detention.

69.To ensure the provision of consular assistance, support and guidance on matters related to gender-based violence, the following actions have been taken:

(a)Training and awareness: Awareness-raising campaigns, including workshops and information sessions, are carried out for Ecuadorian communities. These initiatives foster a culture of respect, equity and non-violence, while informing Ecuadorians of their rights and the support and protection mechanisms available in the countries where they live and work. To this end, consulates work in partnership with international organizations, non‑governmental organizations, migrants’ associations and local authorities;

(b)Priority consular assistance: When cases of violence or vulnerability are reported, consulates follow comprehensive priority assistance protocols for victims and their families. This support is coordinated with local authorities to ensure Ecuadorians’ safety and personal integrity and their access to effective protection measures, including the possibility of safe return to Ecuador.

70.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, specifically the Office of the Deputy Minister for Human Mobility, issued a catalogue of free services available to Ecuadorians abroad. The catalogue is a guide containing essential information on services in key areas, including in relation to food, shelter, legal advice, training, education, language instruction, health and social security, social integration, vocational guidance and protection from violence, exploitation and discrimination.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 12 (a)

71.The Ministry of Labour has launched a range of services to facilitate access to the labour market and strengthen the skills of persons in situations of human mobility. These include the services offered by the Public Employment Service, which promotes effective and timely matching of labour supply and demand through inclusive recruitment. With support from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), a dedicated section was added to the Ministry’s website in 2022 to provide employers and workers with information on equitable hiring practices, labour regulations and inclusive recruitment. Thanks to these services, 2,946 persons in situations of human mobility gained employment between January 2023 and July 2025. During the same period, free training courses in administrative, service and technological fields were offered, benefiting a total of 1,488 persons in situations of human mobility.

72.In addition, the Employment Policy Directorate of the Ministry of Labour offers in‑person and virtual workshops built around two main strategies:

(a)Employment strengthening workshops covering topics such as career guidance, job searching, human relations and employability, designed to support workforce reintegration and reskilling;

(b)Entrepreneurship strategy workshops on topics such as business idea development, introductory digital marketing, business start-up and planning and labour law for entrepreneurs, to create and strengthen entrepreneurial initiatives.

73.As a result of these workshops, delivered between July 2023 and July 2025, a total of 8,157 persons in situations of human mobility acquired practical tools to secure employment or develop their own business ideas.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 12 (b)

74.The Ministry of Labour implements targeted policies to promote the effective labour inclusion of immigrants, returning migrants and foreign nationals, in line with the economic pillar of the National Agenda for Equality in Human Mobility 2021–2025 and in accordance with the Organic Act on Human Mobility, the Labour Code and ILO conventions. To this end, it has established a framework agreement for inter-institutional cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility on labour inclusion. Under this agreement, the Public Employment Service shares training plans on a monthly basis, in particular to support returning migrants. In 2023, with support from the United States Agency for International Development, the World Council of Credit Unions, the CONQUITO initiative and the Inter-American Development Bank, the Ministry of Labour updated the Human Resources Recruitment Guide to facilitate staff recruitment, training and selection in public enterprises and institutions through inclusive methodologies for groups in situations of human mobility and for the local population.

75.In the area of awareness-raising and capacity-building, in November 2023, the Ministry of Labour launched the course “Introduction to Human Mobility” on its e-learning platform in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility. The course reached 1,051 public officials and helped raise awareness of the State’s commitments under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The Ministry also implements the “Commitment to Employment” project to improve access to quality employment by expanding training and skills certification programmes and promoting the use of the Public Employment Service, with an inclusive focus on both Ecuadorians and persons in situations of human mobility. In addition, workshops have been held with the consular services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility to inform Ecuadorians abroad about the services provided by the Ministry of Labour.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 12 (c)

76.The Government has established a legal and regulatory framework to address gender, linguistic and ethnic barriers that hinder the full integration of migrant populations into the labour market, ensuring wage equality, protection against exploitation and the promotion of opportunities, particularly for women.

77.The Constitution and labour legislation guarantee gender equality in employment and equitable access to training, promotion and pay and also prohibit discrimination. The Organic Act on Equal Pay for Women and Men requires equal remuneration for work of equal value in both the public and private sectors, and article 79 of the Labour Code reinforces this principle through objective and transparent criteria, ensuring a fair working environment for all persons, including migrants.

78.Moreover, the Ministry of Labour has issued specific regulations to strengthen equity and protect migrant workers, namely:

(a)Agreement No. MDT-2018-0006, which safeguards the labour rights of migrant workers;

(b)Agreement No. MDT-2024-013, which regulates business equality plans with the aim of eliminating gender discrimination through strategies aligned with the Act on the Promotion of the Purple Economy;

(c)Interministerial Agreement No. MPCEIP-MDT-2024-001-AI, which establishes guidelines for obtaining the “Purple Seal,” an incentive for employers that implement concrete measures to promote equality, eradicate harassment and violence and strengthen women’s participation in the workplace and in representative positions.

79.To address internal biases within the public administration that may affect this group, the online course “Challenging Boundaries: Exploring Explicit and Implicit Biases Toward the Migrant Population” was developed with support from the World Bank. This awareness-raising programme, which had a particular focus on gender, was delivered to 19,674 public officials and was designed to eliminate bias and promote more inclusive and equitable services for the migrant population.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 12 (d)

80.Under Ministerial Agreement No. MDT-2018-0006, the Ministry of Labour actively promotes socioeconomic integration, equal opportunities and non-discrimination in access to employment by requiring labour inspectors to monitor compliance with the relevant regulations and the registration procedure for foreign workers’ employment information. To complement these efforts, in 2021, the Ministry implemented the “Ethical Recruitment of Migrant Workers” project with support from the German Agency for International Cooperation. As part of the project, a national training manual, entitled “The Role of Labour Inspection in the Protection of Workers in Contexts of Human Mobility”, was produced for labour inspectors, thereby consolidating the applicable regulatory framework, with a focus on labour migration. It also included 40 hours of online training to raise awareness among inspectors and other public officials regarding human mobility and ethical, fair recruitment; the development of the “Work Without Borders” mobile telephone application, designed to educate the public on this issue; and the organization of a multi-stakeholder dialogue to promote inter-institutional coordination and migration governance.

81.The “Strengthen Employment” and “Start a Business” programmes, offered free of charge, benefited a total of 2,596 self-identified migrants between January and December 2024. Over the same period, the Public Employment Service helped 389 foreign nationals gain access to employment.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 13

82.The State guarantees equal treatment for migrant workers and their families in labour matters through legislation that prohibits discrimination and ensures equal rights. Under the Constitution, foreign nationals in Ecuador enjoy the same rights and obligations as Ecuadorian citizens. Article 1 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility regulates the exercise of the rights of persons in situations of human mobility and their families. In addition, article 79 of the Labour Code establishes the principle of equal pay for work of equal value, prohibits discrimination on the basis of nationality and guarantees migrant workers the same labour rights as nationals, including with respect to wages, overtime, paid leave, severance pay and disability protection.

83.Labour legislation and the policies of the Ministry of Labour ensure that the recruitment of migrant workers is equitable and is conducted in full alignment with the fundamental conventions of the ILO. The Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100), is implemented through article 79 of the Labour Code, which guarantees equal pay for work of equal value and prohibits wage discrimination, including on the basis of nationality.

84.Likewise, the explicit prohibition of discrimination on the basis of nationality or on other grounds in the Constitution and the Labour Code ensures compliance with the ILO Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111). By protecting the rights of the families of persons in situations of human mobility and prohibiting discrimination, article 1 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility strengthens protections for workers with family responsibilities, in line with the ILO Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156).

85.Access to social security for migrant workers is governed by the constitutional principle of equal rights and obligations. Migrant workers have non-discriminatory access to all rights under the social security system managed by the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute.

86.The Ibero-American Multilateral Agreement on Social Security and Executive Decree No. 804 of 2019 facilitate full integration into the formal labour market. The latter established a VIRTE visa, aimed at Venezuelan nationals with the effect of formalizing their migratory status. Such integration automatically guarantees access to social security and the full range of labour rights established in the Constitution and the Labour Code.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 14 (a)

87.Pursuant to the Constitution (arts. 9, 44 and 45) and the Organic Act on Intercultural Education, access to education is guaranteed for all children and adolescents in situations of human mobility, based on the principle of equal rights and obligations. This commitment is upheld by the Ministry of Education, which invests $935.58 per student and has established a regulatory framework through a range of ministerial agreements (including Agreements No. MINEDUC-MINEDUC-2020-00025-A, No. 2020-00026-A, No. 2023-00064-A and No. 2024-00059-A), ensuring access to the national education system throughout the school year for a total student population of 4,322,138 students.The Ministry also implements targeted inclusion initiatives such as the Multi-Year Resilience Programme, which aims to reach 42,700 children and adolescents (52% refugee and migrant children, 60% girls and 10% children with disabilities) between 2024 and 2026 in eight target cantons. It has also partnered with organizations such as Centro de Desarrollo y Autogestión, to support school reintegration and learning recovery, and Sesame Workshop, to foster a sense of belonging and inclusion among 3,000 children in Quito and Education District No. 2. These efforts complement existing measures to promote harmonious relations in schools and prevent risky migration, trafficking, smuggling, discrimination and racism.

88.With regard to access to free higher education, article 356 of the Constitution and article 80 of the Organic Act on Higher Education guarantee free public higher education for all up to the tertiary level, provided that students meet the requirements of academic responsibility. A protocol for the prevention of and response to cases of conflict, violence, harassment and discrimination in school settings has been adopted to safeguard the rights of migrants in this context. Moreover, the Higher Education Council is in the process of approving the core curriculum for public higher technical institutes, which covers topics such as gender equality, interculturality and prevention and will contribute to preventing discrimination against young migrants.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 14 (b)

89.The Government has established specific safeguards under article 99 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility to protect unaccompanied or separated migrant children and adolescents during asylum procedures, giving priority to their best interests and preventing revictimization. These safeguards include the right to be heard, with children participating in the asylum process in a manner appropriate to their age and maturity; priority handling of their applications, with an explicit ban on rejecting claims solely because they were filed late; and access to legal representation and guardianship through the coordinated appointment of a guardian or representative, as well as the immediate involvement of the Public Defence Service to provide legal support and protect their rights throughout the asylum procedure.

90.In addition to these legal guarantees, the Government has developed specialized tools and procedures to address the particular vulnerabilities of migrant children and adolescents. The asylum application form is a comprehensive instrument that records the applicant’s age, allowing the immediate identification of children and adolescents and the prompt involvement of legal and social support services. It also allows applicants to indicate specific needs with respect to their language, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, according to an intersectional approach. The procedure includes a specialized interview conducted by expert staff trained in children’s rights and child protection to identify protection needs, detect inconsistencies that could indicate trafficking in persons and support family verification and security measures. The personnel involved in these procedures receive regular, ongoing training in clear communication skills and in handling cases involving extreme vulnerability.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 14 (c)

91.Please see the replies contained in paragraphs 42 to 46 above.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 14 (d)

92.Please see the replies contained in paragraphs 42 to 46 above.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 14 (e)

93.The Ministry of Education has taken specific steps to prevent sexual violence and exploitation in educational settings, with a focus on migrant girls, through the development of a strategic regulatory framework. Rights-based, gender-sensitive and inclusive protocols and response procedures have been established and must be followed whenever psychosocial risks or violent incidents occur within the education system. These measures include guidelines for addressing psychosocial risks and violence, with a specific focus on digital violence, ensuring comprehensive protection for the entire educational community.

94.These operational tools are complemented by two national strategic plans: the National Plan for the Prevention of Psychosocial Risks in the National Education System, designed to foster protective environments and strengthen holistic human development, prioritizing nine risk areas that range from physical and psychological violence to teenage pregnancy, child labour and sexual violence; and the National Plan for the Eradication of Violence in Educational Settings, designed to prevent violence, protect students and restore the rights of those affected by violence and discrimination. Both plans explicitly seek to reduce risk factors that disproportionately affect girls and adolescents in situations of human mobility.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 15 (a)

95.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility has a protocol to protect Ecuadorian citizens, including children and adolescents, who are in vulnerable situations abroad. The protocol aims to ensure the provision and coordination of assistance and support through cooperation between national institutions and the competent authorities in host countries to ensure respect for the fundamental rights of Ecuadorian citizens.

96.In addition, the Government has developed two technical instruments: the Guide for the Evaluation and Determination of the Best Interests of the Child, approved by Judicial Council Resolution No. 012-2021; and the Regulations on Notarial Authorization for Departure from the Country, set out in Resolution No. 063-2025. The Guide is a technical and methodological tool that helps judges to ensure respect for the best interests of the child in a consistent, objective and effective manner. It facilitates the identification of rights violations and protection needs, while safeguarding rights such as the right to effective judicial protection and the right to be heard in a private hearing. The Regulations ensure strict respect for the best interests of the child in notarial procedures authorizing departure from the country as a means of preventing trafficking of children and adolescents. Together, these instruments strengthen inter-institutional coordination and provide clear guidance for judicial, notarial and immigration authorities to act in accordance with national and international child rights standards.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 15 (b)

97.The Government has established a regulatory and procedural framework to assess the protection needs of unaccompanied or separated migrant children and adolescents in accordance with their best interests. Article 129 (a) of the Organic Act on Human Mobility prohibits subjecting unaccompanied or separated children and adolescents to inadmissibility procedures or administrative sanctions that could lead to family separation or return to unsafe environments. Instead, it requires immigration authorities to allow their regular entry and registration so that they can be immediately placed under a comprehensive system of rights protection. This process is complemented by the Protocol for the Comprehensive Care of Foreign Children and Adolescents in Situations of Human Mobility, issued in compliance with Constitutional Court ruling No. 2120-19-JP/21. This protocol establishes a framework for assessing protection needs and providing comprehensive and differentiated care, ensuring access to essential services such as healthcare and education, as well as protection from violence and exploitation. This commitment is reflected in the registration of 1,080 arrivals of unaccompanied or separated children between 2016 and August 2025.

98.In the context of the international protection procedure for refugee status, the protection needs of unaccompanied or separated migrant children and adolescents are addressed through the specific safeguards set out in article 99 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility, which place their best interests at the forefront. These safeguards protect against revictimization and uphold the right of the child to be heard in accordance with his or her age and maturity. Priority is given to the processing of children’s applications; the timeliness requirement is waived to prevent rejection on the ground of late submission; and a guardian or legal representative is immediately appointed thanks to the prompt involvement of the Public Defence Service, which takes on their legal representation and defence. These measures ensure that children and adolescents are informed of their right to seek refugee status and receive the assistance they require.

99.In the international protection procedure, the refugee application form is a key tool, as it allows the immediate identification of children and adolescents based on age and ensures prompt notification of the protection authority and the Public Defence Service to provide legal and social assistance. The form supports an intersectional human rights approach by allowing applicants to indicate specific needs, including in relation to their language, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity. The procedure also includes a specialized interview conducted by staff with expertise in international protection, trained to identify vulnerabilities and detect inconsistencies that may indicate trafficking in persons, and coordination with family verification and security services is immediately carried out. All staff involved receive regular, specialized training in clear communication skills and in handling cases of extreme vulnerability, ensuring appropriate treatment and the accurate assessment of protection needs.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 15 (c)

100.The Government has established regulatory and operational mechanisms to facilitate the regular entry of unaccompanied or separated migrant children and adolescents, based on the explicit prohibition of non-admission under the Constitution, the Code on Children and Adolescents and the Organic Act on Human Mobility. These mechanisms are guided by the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits return to places where the life or safety of the person concerned would be at risk, and the principle of the best interests of the child, which places children’s well-being at the centre of all decisions. For operational purposes and to ensure comprehensive protection, Ecuador implements the Protocol for the Comprehensive Care of Foreign Children and Adolescents in Situations of Human Mobility (Interministerial Agreement No. 0001-2022). This protocol establishes coordinated procedures for identification, registration and protection, even in the absence of documentation, ensuring specialized care through interviews and psychosocial assessments, the adoption of immediate protection measures and coordinated follow-up with cantonal boards for the protection of rights and the Civil Registry. A new interministerial protocol is currently being finalized to facilitate the regularization of the migration status of unaccompanied or separated children and adolescents, further strengthening the Government’s response to this issue and preventing returns that would be contrary to their best interests.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 15 (d)

101.No information was received from the competent institution.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 15 (e)

102.The Government guarantees the rights to migration, to family reunification and to priority care for children and adolescents in situations of human mobility through specific measures in the context of international protection procedures, in line with international standards and the constitutional framework, including Constitutional Court ruling No. 212‑20‑EP/24.

103.Article 155 of the implementing regulations to the Organic Act on Human Mobility recognizes family reunification as a key protection measure for refugees. It allows a spouse or common-law partner, as well as relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity of the principal beneficiary, to be included in the asylum application. For children and adolescents, the process is streamlined by allowing the submission of documentation or a sworn statement attesting to the family relationship where original documents are unavailable. Refugee status may also be extended to family members already present in Ecuador, at the formal request of the principal beneficiary. If a family member independently meets the eligibility criteria, refugee status is granted on an individual basis. Between 1 January 2004 and 31 July 2025, a total of 1,383 persons, including 644 children and adolescents, were recognized as refugees pursuant to the right to family reunification.

104.As noted in the preceding paragraphs, the principle of priority and specialized care for children and adolescents in situations of human mobility is enshrined in article 20 (a) of the Organic Act on Human Mobility. Article 99 (9) of the Act specifically provides that applications for international protection submitted by children who are unaccompanied or separated from their legal guardians must be given priority. These provisions ensure that international protection procedures are fully aligned with children’s best interests.

105.By Resolution No. 063-2025 of 4 September 2025, the Council of the Judiciary issued the Regulations on Notarial Authorization for the Departure from the Country of Children and Adolescents, applicable nationwide. The second transitional provision of these regulations mandates the development of specialized guidelines for notaries when processing exit authorizations for minors in situations of human mobility in need of international protection. With support from UNHCR, guidelines for the Notarial Service on respecting the best interests of children and adolescents in situations of human mobility, resettlement and international protection have been drafted and are pending approval.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 15 (f)

106.No information was received from the competent institution.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 15 (g)

107.No information was received from the competent institution.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 15 (h)

108.Between 2021 and August 2025, the Ministry of the Interior trained 1,238 officials on key issues related to migration control and the protection of migrant children, strengthening the technical capacities of staff at border posts and headquarters. The main training topics included trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, human mobility, migration processes and the protection of vulnerable groups. The training was delivered by a wide range of national and international institutions, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), the Organization of American States, the Ombudsman’s Office, the Council of the Judiciary, the Constitutional Court, the Ministry of the Interior (including the Directorate on Trafficking and Smuggling), the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (now the Ministry of Human Development) and the Ministry for Women’s Affairs and Human Rights (now part of the Ministry of Governance), as well as the Embassies of the United States and the United Kingdom.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 16

109.The Government protects migrant families through a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, through its consular network, continuously monitors cases involving vulnerable Ecuadorian nationals abroad, with priority given to minors, and maintains ongoing dialogue with authorities in destination countries, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Office of Refugee Resettlement in the United States. This sustained engagement seeks to prevent arbitrary violations of the right to family unity and to ensure that the best interests of the child are respected, in strict accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

110.On the other hand, Ecuador has established an effective and accessible procedure to facilitate family reunification for migrants residing in the country, particularly those recognized as refugees, in accordance with article 4 of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families and national legislation. Article 155 of the implementing regulations to the Organic Act on Human Mobility defines reunification as a fundamental protective measure and extends eligibility to spouses and common-law partners, as well as to relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity of the principal beneficiary. Secondary legislation provides additional flexibility by allowing applicants to submit a sworn statement attesting to the family relationship and to request the extension of refugee status to family members already present in the country. As a result, between 1 January 2004 and 31 July 2025, a total of 1,383 people, including 644 children and adolescents, were recognized as refugees pursuant to the right to family reunification.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 17

111.In response to ruling No. 2120-19-JP/21 of 22 September 2021, which established protection standards for children and adolescents, the Government adopted significant measures to ensure family reunification and comprehensive protection. The Protocol for the Comprehensive Care of Foreign Children and Adolescents in Situations of Human Mobility (supplement to Official Gazette No. 187 of 11 November 2022) incorporates this ruling by establishing the State’s obligation to ensure that children are not separated from their families in any administrative or judicial proceedings, except by judicial order when it is in their best interests. This protocol also led to the adoption of a standardized procedure to regularize the migration status of unaccompanied or separated children and adolescents, together with implementing instructions. Training mechanisms for immigration personnel have been strengthened to ensure that their operational and regulatory actions fully respect human rights and that the Protocol and related procedures are properly applied.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 18

112.Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, the Government exercises stewardship over human mobility policies and coordinates with various entities to implement comprehensive programmes to engage and reintegrate returning Ecuadorians. While these public programmes are general in scope, they incorporate existing regulations on differential treatment and affirmative action to ensure comprehensive support for Indigenous migrants, migrants of African descent and migrants of Montubio origin, in accordance with the Constitution, the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169), and the Organic Act on Human Mobility. The objective is to ensure that these groups, together with their families, as well as other priority groups, receive the support necessary for their social, economic and labour reintegration and to guarantee their access to resources and services in a manner that respects their cultural identity and specific needs.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 19 (a)

113.Article 98 (1) of the Organic Act on Human Mobility allows migrant women who are victims of gender-based violence to be recognized as refugees when they demonstrate a well‑founded fear of persecution on the basis of their gender or their membership in the social group “women,” including in cases where the persecution is carried out by non-State actors and the State fails to provide protection. Article 99 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility establishes specific safeguards for these victims during the application process, including priority processing of their claims and the option to choose the gender of the interviewing staff. The Ministry of Labour supports their economic integration through the “Commitment to Employment” project, which provides non-reimbursable funding for training and job-skills certification to facilitate their entry into the labour market.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 19 (b)

114.The Government promotes social inclusion and gender equality for migrant women and girls through a legal framework aligned with general recommendation No. 32 (2014) of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, with a particular focus on the labour and economic spheres. Article 70 of the Constitution requires the State to guarantee equality between women and men through policies that mainstream a gender perspective across all plans and programmes. The Organic Act on the Promotion of the Purple Economy establishes key measures in this area. Article 6 of the Act provides that the State and decentralized autonomous governments must take measures to ensure women’s equal access to employment, entrepreneurship and economic participation, with particular emphasis on women entrepreneurs in diverse circumstances, including those registered in the National Register of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Competitiveness, to promote their economic independence. Article 17 requires private companies with 50 or more employees to implement equality plans addressing issues such as non-discriminatory recruitment, the elimination of the gender pay gap, work-life balance, professional advancement and the prevention of workplace and sexual harassment. In addition, Ministerial Agreement No. MDT-2025-006 of the Ministry of Labour regulates the Organic Act on Equal Pay, creating an obligation to conduct training and awareness-raising initiatives on labour rights, gender equality and the eradication of violence and non-discrimination in both the public and private sectors.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 19 (c)

115.According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, between 1 January 2004 and 31 July 2025, a total of 151,086 women and girls applied for refugee status in Ecuador and 35,393 were granted it. Beyond these quantitative figures, the Ministry of Labour has implemented qualitative measures to address intersectional discrimination affecting migrant, refugee and Ecuadorian women, including Indigenous, Afrodescendent and Montubio women, women living in poverty and women with disabilities. These actions are focused on reducing wage gaps, implementing the Organic Act on Human Care and strengthening the Organic Act to Prevent and Eradicate Violence against Women. In the area of prevention, awareness-raising workshops are conducted to promote equal employment opportunities, while in the area of response, cases of discrimination, harassment and violence are investigated and sanctioned. To formalize these efforts, the Ministry of Labour issued Ministerial Agreements No. MDT-2025-093 and MDT-2025-102, published in the sixth supplement to Official Gazette No. 103 of 15 August 2025. These agreements establish standards for the prevention of serious disciplinary offences related to discrimination, violence and workplace harassment, including sexual or gender-based harassment, the protection of victims of such offences and the punishment of perpetrators, in both the public and private sectors.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 19 (d)

116.The Ministry of Labour has adopted a robust set of measures to address pre-existing gender inequalities by placing women and girls at the centre of recovery strategies, in line with the 2030 Agenda, through prevention, awareness-raising and incentive-based initiatives. Between January and July 2025, 19,890 people participated in awareness-raising workshops for employers and civil society addressing issues such as workplace harassment, equity and inclusion and the Protocol for Preventing and Responding to Violence in the Workplace. In addition, Ministerial Agreement No. MDT-2025-006 requires that human resources personnel undergo 40 hours of training every year on gender equality and the eradication of violence, with the incentive of certification upon completion. Interministerial Agreement No. MPCEIP-MDT-2024-001-AI established the “Purple Seal” incentive for public and private enterprises that take measures to promote gender equality. Specialized courses, such as “Safe and Violence-Free Institutions” and “Safe Businesses: Leading the Way on Zero Tolerance”, were delivered between January and June 2025, raising awareness among more than 5,600 public- and private-sector officials.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 19 (e)

117.The State guarantees the protection of migrant workers, including workers with irregular migration status and sex workers, against all forms of discrimination and gender‑based violence, including physical, psychological, sexual, economic, patrimonial, symbolic, political and gynaecological-obstetric violence, through a comprehensive regulatory framework. This framework is grounded in articles 11, 66 and 416 of the Constitution, which recognize the rights of all migrants and guarantee dignified living conditions and the full exercise of labour rights on equal terms. The Organic Act on Human Mobility enshrines the principles of equality and non-discrimination.

118.The Labour Code imposes obligations on employers and labour inspectors to prevent, address and sanction workplace violence and harassment according to a gender-sensitive approach and guarantees access to legal remedies for female workers who are victims of violence, without prejudice to their labour rights. Labour inspectors are empowered to impose sanctions and corrective measures, protect whistle-blowers and assess psychosocial risks.

119.The Organic Act on the Promotion of the Purple Economy and the Organic Act for Equal Pay for Women and Men include provisions to promote gender equality in the workplace and the economy, in particular article 9 of the latter, which mandates employers to submit annual reports on compliance with the principle of equal pay. The immediate protection measures established under the Organic Act to Prevent and Eradicate Violence against Women, including restraining orders, eviction of aggressors from the home and free legal assistance through the Public Defence Service, extend to migrant women workers.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 20

120.In compliance with the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, the Government, through the Ministry of the Interior, has strengthened the legal and institutional framework according to a comprehensive approach encompassing prevention, victim protection, prosecution of offenders and inter-institutional cooperation.

121.Several important laws and regulations have been enacted in this area, including:

(a)Action Plan against Trafficking in Persons (2019–2030), approved in February 2020 through Ministerial Agreement No. 194, which promotes a comprehensive approach across four target areas, namely, prevention, victim assistance and protection, investigation and governance;

(b)Organic Act against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants, published in February 2023 in Official Gazette No. 252 and made operational through the adoption of general regulations in April 2024 under Executive Decree No. 237;

(c)Amendments to the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code, published in July 2024 in Official Gazette No. 599-S, which strengthened penalties for the offence of trafficking – article 92 was amended to increase the applicable custodial sentence from 16 to 30 years, while article 369 was amended to strengthen penalties in cases involving organized crime, establishing sentences of 22 to 30 years’ imprisonment for the leaders of organized criminal groups and 10 to 22 years for accomplices.

122.The Inter-Agency Coordination Committee for the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and the Protection of Victims, led by the Ministry of the Interior and composed of 13 institutions, develops and implements public policies across the four target areas mentioned above. Its work plan was approved in June 2025. In addition, Ecuador has promoted the negotiation and signing of bilateral and multilateral agreements with strategic countries, namely, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica and Italy, to strengthen cooperation.

123.Extensive secondary legislation has been developed and updated to standardize procedures for detection, identification, assistance, protection and investigation, including:

Manual on the Inter-institutional Coordination Process for the Assistance and Protection of Victims of Trafficking in Persons and Illegal Smuggling of Migrants

Instruction Manual on Assistance for and Protection and Repatriation of Ecuadorian Victims of Illegal Migrant Smuggling Rescued Abroad

Guide for Labour Inspectors on the Identification of Cases of Trafficking in Persons

Manual of Procedures and Instructions for the Detection and Referral of Cases of Trafficking in Persons for the Purpose of Labour Exploitation, issued by the Ministry of Labour

Protocol for Action in Cases of Illegal Smuggling of Migrants Detected or Referred within the National Education System, issued by the Ministry of Education

Inter-institutional protocols for the comprehensive support and protection of victims of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, updated on 7 April 2025

Guide for Case Detection and the Manual for Initial Response with a Rights-based Approach

Regulations Governing the Processing of Authorizations for the Departure from the Country of Children and Adolescents through Notarial Services Nationwide

124.With regard to prevention and rights promotion, 3,853 persons, including public officials, civil society actors and members of the general public, have been trained and informed through campaigns, workshops and conferences. In addition, training and monitoring activities in relation to the Code of Conduct for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Tourism continue to be carried out.

125.Community reintegration programmes for victims have been implemented, including, for example, the Equine-assisted Therapy Programme for adolescent girls. In parallel, the Case Coordination Team was established under articles 6 and 25 to 29 of the Organic Act against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants to provide comprehensive assistance and protection in trafficking cases.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 21 (a)

126.In order to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of cases of trafficking in persons, the Attorney General’s Office, in cooperation with international agencies including IOM and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has developed a series of technical and regulatory instruments to ensure the standardization of procedures and the protection of victims:

(a)Operational guidelines on identifying, acquiring, storing, processing and using potential pieces of evidence in cases of trafficking in persons (2020): developed with the then Ministry of Governance and IOM, this tool is essential for the investigation and prosecution stages. The guidelines set out techniques for detecting and preserving evidence, focusing on procedures for working with vulnerable victims, especially children and adolescents, to avoid revictimizing them and to ensure their protection;

(b)Criminal policy guidelines on the offence of trafficking in persons (2022):approved and implemented nationwide since September 2022, this instrument guides prosecutors and field teams in conducting proactive investigations using special techniques and, where possible, evidentiary means other than victims’ testimonies. A human rights-based approach is established to recognize victims as subjects of rights and to prevent penalties from depending solely on their testimony, with the use of social, psychological and medical evaluations being proposed;

(c)Operational guidelines on investigating offences of trafficking in persons for prosecutors and their support staff (2024):adopted in October 2024 with the support of the UNODC and IOM, in accordance with the Action Plan against Trafficking in Persons, these guidelines were disseminated to prosecutors nationwide through circulars and in-person workshops held in Cuenca, Guayaquil, Quito and Tulcán in July 2024. The document sets out a doctrinal analysis of the criminal offence, the regulatory framework, special investigation techniques, guidelines for strengthening investigations, and international cooperation procedures in criminal matters. It also includes a section on specialized care and protection for victims, with an emphasis on women, children and adolescents.

127.The Attorney General’s Office has 36 prosecutor’s offices specializing in trafficking in persons and organized crime and 255 multipurpose prosecutor’s offices that cover areas for which there are no specialized units. The Directorate for Criminal Policy of the Attorney General’s Office coordinates investigations, initiates criminal proceedings and generates statistics. The National Unit for the Investigation of Trafficking in Persons of the national police investigates cases under the coordination of the prosecution service, with support from transnational crime and cybercrime units and the National Directorate of Special Police for Children and Adolescents. The Unit’s operational capacity was decentralized and strengthened and the number of staff in Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca and Machala was increased from 30 to 62. The Unit also acquired four four-wheel drive trucks in 2024 to strengthen its operations. Permanent police investigation offices were established at the airports in Quito and Guayaquil, including at Mariscal Sucre International Airport. In order to ensure early detection, reporting channels (1800-DELITO and 911) and a video surveillance system with data analytics capabilities were established in Rumichaca; 422 at-risk minors have been recorded. Lastly, the Directorate for the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants of the Ministry of the Interior develops public policies and oversees compliance by the Inter-Agency Committee. Technical committees were established to evaluate progress, coordinate with the Financial and Economic Analysis Unit and train prosecutors and judges.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 21 (b)

128.According to information provided by the Council of the Judiciary and the Attorney General’s Office, between 2021 and 2023, the authorities recorded a total of 18 convictions for the offence of trafficking in persons (13 in 2021 and 5 in 2022), in addition to the 10 cases handled in 2023. More broadly, between 2017 and 2022, 72 convictions were handed down for trafficking offences (Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code, art. 91), and 34 persons were convicted of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation between 2014 and 2023. With regard to redress for victims, the payment of financial compensation was ordered in the five cases for which convictions were recorded in 2024, with the amount ranging from $5,000 (in four cases) to $3,000 (in one case). Lastly, between January and June 2025, 12 new cases of trafficking in persons were brought before the courts.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 21 (c)

129.The Attorney General’s Office carried out 13 training activities on subjects related to trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling between October 2021 and June 2025. The following subjects were covered in the workshops:

2021: “Trafficking in persons” from 11 to 31 October, delivered by Dr. Martin Tamayo

2022: “Workshop on profiling and specialized investigations into trafficking in persons in migration contexts” (13 January 2022); “Seminar on trafficking in persons for Ecuador and Colombia” (25 January 2022), led by Sean Tepfer and Kate Hill; “Trafficking in persons” (3–15 August 2022), taught by Dr. María Susana Rodríguez; “Symposium and working groups on trafficking in persons” (27 and 28 October 2022), led by experts from IOM

2023: “Partners against trafficking – strengthening the multisectoral response to trafficking in persons in Ecuador” (11–26 January 2023), with experts from the Organization of American States; “Trafficking in persons” (11–21 May 2023), taught by Dr. María Susana Rodríguez; two seminars featuring experts from the Pan American Development Foundation in Bogotá, Colombia: “Regional seminar on migrant smuggling” (12 and 13 October 2023) and “Social networks and new forms of financial intermediation for the investigation and prosecution of cases of migrant smuggling” (25 October 2023)

2024: Course on “Tools for protecting victims of trafficking in persons” delivered by experts from IOM, first on 23 and 24 January and then on 30 and 31 January; a course on trafficking in persons (18–29 March 2024), facilitated by Dr. María Susana Rodríguez, which was notable for the significant number of people – 926 – who completed it from all the areas mentioned

2025: Course on trafficking in persons, 23 April–6 June, taught by Dr. Miguel Salazar, Dr. Jonathan Ramos and Dr. Tomás Guayasamín

130.These activities reflect the efforts put into staff training, with a total of 1,700 people completing the various courses. The training sessions were aimed mainly at prosecutors, secretaries and assistants attached to the prosecution service, and the administrative staff of the Attorney General’s Office.

131.The State maintains an inter-agency coordination body to tackle the problem of trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling, namely, the Inter-Agency Committee for the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling. The Committee’s activities, which were initially based on the Organic Act on Human Mobility, are now governed by the Organic Act against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants, in force since February 2023, and its implementing regulations, in force since April 2024. In order to ensure effective prevention, promotion, assistance, protection, investigation and prosecution, the Inter-Agency Committee operates through four technical committees: (a) a technical committee for the prevention and promotion of rights; (b) a technical committee for support and protection; (c) a technical committee for investigation and prosecution; and (d) a governance committee.

132.Between 2021 and July 2025, as part of the work carried out within this inter-agency space, the Attorney General’s Office, in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Committee and other actors, carried out intensive awareness-raising and prevention activities relating to trafficking in persons. More than 180 training sessions were held, covering basic concepts, support pathways, and reporting and prevention channels. The activities were aimed at a wide range of key actors, including teachers, police personnel, justice officials, public officials and representatives of international organizations, civil society and the education community. The sessions reached more than 9,500 participants in at least 13 provinces in the country, including Carchi, Imbabura, El Oro, Guayas, Pichincha, Azuay, Manabí, Sucumbíos, Tungurahua and Galápagos.

133.In addition, a number of events relating to prevention and commemoration were held, including citizens’ fairs, film forums, vigils and large-scale events, with approximately 3,200 people participating in cities such as Quito, Guayaquil, Ibarra, Tulcán, Lago Agrio, Manta and San Lorenzo. The purpose of these activities, which formed part of institutional campaigns such as “I Live Free from Trafficking”, is to raise public awareness and promote a culture in which these offences are prevented and reported.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 21 (d)

134.Between 2021 and 2025, the Government strengthened its institutional response to trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling, focusing on planning, coordination, resource allocation and the implementation of regulations. The progress made formed part of efforts to strengthen the multisectoral commission against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, including through the allocation of human, technical and financial resources.

135.Attention may be drawn to the annual adoption of inter-agency work plans implemented under the Action Plan against Trafficking in Persons 2019–2030. These plans are structured around key areas such as prevention, protection, investigation and prosecution, and are implemented by thematic technical committees. In this framework, the establishment of a case coordination team has been essential for providing comprehensive care to victims.

136.With regard to resource allocation and technical strengthening, the Government has allocated specific budgetary resources to key agencies such as the Attorney General’s Office, the former Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (now the Ministry of Human Development) and the former Ministry for Women’s Affairs and Human Rights (now merged with the Ministry of Governance), in addition to actively managing international cooperation to enhance operational capacities.

137.At the operational level, the interoperability of judicial monitoring systems has been strengthened, training for justice officials has been enhanced and investigative services have been decentralized, especially at strategic points such as airports and border crossings. The Directorate for the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and the National Unit for the Investigation of Trafficking in Persons have strengthened their actions through public policies, operational coordination and the establishment of a strategic presence in areas with the highest number of incidents.

138.Recent advances include the adoption in 2025 of protocols for inter-agency measures to support and protect victims, as well as the corresponding workplan for 2025. Also in that year, the first session of the Investigation and Prosecution Committee was held to assess the progress made and to suggest ways of improving the institutional response system.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 21 (e)

139.The Government has implemented a series of coordinated measures and multisectoral mechanisms to guarantee assistance to victims of trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling and to promote their physical, psychological and social rehabilitation. These mechanisms are available throughout the country.

140.Between 2021 and 2025, the Ministry of the Interior coordinated the provision of support in 248 cases of trafficking in persons involving 327 victims, and 666 cases of migrant smuggling involving 1,473 victims, with all coordination undertaken in accordance with an inter-agency protocol for comprehensive care and protection. Citizens have access to active reporting channels at the national level: 1800-DELITO and the 911 emergency line.

141.The case coordination team of the Inter-Agency Committee has assumed responsibility for providing comprehensive and wide-ranging forms of care, including legal advice, healthcare, shelter services, food and clothing, consular assistance, transfer management, the regularization of migration status and guidance on employment, education and training. Where children and adolescents are concerned, coordination was strengthened with the former Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (now the Ministry of Human Development), the former Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Human Rights (now part of the Ministry of Governance), and other specialized institutions, depending on the specific needs in each case.

142.In order to ensure the availability of support mechanisms throughout the country, an extensive network of services has been set up:

(a)Specialized shelters: the State has three specialized shelters specifically for victims of trafficking in persons – Casa de Acogida Arupo, Casa Linda (Ministry of Human Development), and Alas de Colibrí;

(b)Protection services: the former Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Human Rights (now merged with the Ministry of Governance) operates 42 comprehensive protection services distributed across the nine regions of the country, supplemented by eight Purple Centres located in key cities;

(c)Health: the Ministry of Health guarantees priority care for victims throughout the country, in accordance with the Comprehensive Healthcare Model 2016;

(d)Legal assistance: the Public Defence Service maintains a robust presence, operating in all 24 provinces and 145 cantons with 187 service points for the provision of legal assistance;

(e)Consular support: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers support to Ecuadorian victims abroad through its network of embassies and consulates.

143.Supplementary measures are taken in relation to legal assistance, access to education and the necessary administrative changes for prosecutors and judges. In the field of education, the Ministry of Education issues the National Plan for the Prevention of Psychosocial Risks, which includes trafficking as one of the nine priority risks to be addressed.

144.At the binational level, an Ecuador-Peru rapid response team was activated and has successfully handled 11 binational cases. Lastly, in terms of resources, the Ministry of the Interior allocated $166,000 (operational expenditure) from its budget for support and protection work during this period.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 21 (f)

145.The Government took significant steps between 2021 and 2025 to strengthen the collection of disaggregated data on victims of trafficking, applying a differentiated and intersectional approach that is essential for designing evidence-based public policies.

146.The main achievement in this area has been the launch of an interactive trafficking and smuggling map. This digital tool is based on the System for Registering Cases of Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants and is updated in real time. The tool allows information to be displayed visually in the form of maps, graphs and tables, facilitating decision-making, public policy design and statistical analysis. It is also made available to the public as a mechanism for promoting transparency and access to information. The process of strengthening the System for Registering Cases of Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants included data cleansing and the updating of case records.

147.The relevant findings achieved through the System to date have enabled better profiling of victims and more effective institutional planning. These findings include the following: the number of identified cases of sexual exploitation has doubled compared to 2022, the number of Ecuadorian victims identified abroad has tripled, and social media continues to be the most commonly reported method of entrapment. As of July 2025, the System for Registering Cases of Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants reported 86 victims of trafficking in persons and 80 victims of migrant smuggling.

148.In the judicial sphere, data collection is governed by the Automated Court Proceedings System, the only computer system designed to automatically assign and initiate judicial proceedings in accordance with Resolution No. 204-2023 of the Council of the Judiciary. The System has modules for the Attorney General’s Office, the Public Defence Service and other actors.

149.These modules for registering judicial proceedings capture detailed data, including general information on the proceedings (subject matter, type of proceeding and matter/offence, police report numbers, the amounts involved, crime report numbers, number of sheets); data on parties to proceedings (classification as a natural or legal person, or member of Indigenous Peoples and nationalities, type of identification, and specific procedural roles such as direct or indirect victim); and information on legal representatives and places of notification.

150.However, the inclusion of fields for recording gender, age, ethnic origin or nationality, and a variable for place of detention, requires technological development work to be undertaken by the National Technology Directorate of the Council of the Judiciary, which is expected to be carried out in accordance with the current project methodology for software development.

151.Currently, disaggregated information on the sex, age, and ethnic or national origin of victims and perpetrators is recorded only in cases involving violence against women or family members and in connection with administrative protection measures and proceedings under the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code.

152.The statistical information currently held in the Automated Court Proceedings System mainly relates to court cases filed with judicial units on the basis of requests to bring charges. It excludes information relating to reports of offences or complaints as the Attorney General’s Office is solely responsible for this and it is managed in its registration system.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 21 (g)

153.The Government has stepped up international, regional and bilateral cooperation with countries of origin, transit and destination in order to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, with a particular focus on women and children, and to address the root causes of trafficking. To this end, it has signed and continues to implement a number of significant bilateral instruments:

(a)Memorandums of understanding with Colombia (2012) and Chile (2014), aimed at promoting prevention, investigation and the provision of support to victims;

(b)A protocol on the investigation and prosecution of offences of trafficking in persons in Ecuador and Peru, strengthened by a cooperation programme with the General Council of the Judiciary of Spain. Under this programme, three capacity-building activities have been held for justice officials in both countries with a view to promoting the prosecution of offences. The programme has given rise to three tools for promoting binational judicial proceedings and cooperation: (1) technical guidelines on the application of international human rights standards on trafficking; (2) guidelines on protection under criminal law in trafficking cases; and (3) reporting and best practices. In addition, three forums for exchange and dialogue (working groups, meetings and seminars) were held to identify critical issues and best practices relating to the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators and comprehensive redress for victims, including the systematic arrangement, design, printing and publication of these tools and reports;

(c)In the area of foreign affairs, memorandums of understanding were signed with Costa Rica, on trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling (2024), the Dominican Republic, on cooperation in the prevention and investigation of trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling and the assistance and protection of victims (2025), and Italy, on migration and human mobility (2025);

(d)Renewed international agreements remain in place with Peru (2016), Costa Rica (2023) and Argentina (2025);

(e)New bilateral agreements on security and the prevention of transnational organized crime were signed with the Kingdom of the Netherlands (September 2024) and Panama (September 2024);

(f)A number of noteworthy binational meetings were also held: Ecuador–Peru (June 2023), Ecuador–Colombia (November 2023 and May 2025), and an exchange with Chile (November 2023).

154.The Government has actively engaged with multilateral organizations such as:

(a)The Organization of American States provided normative support and support for institutional strengthening;

(b)UNODC provides technical support, including assistance in developing the interactive trafficking and smuggling map, establishing the rapid response team attached to the police and developing prosecutorial guidelines;

(c)IOM provides support to victims and support relating to prevention;

(d)EUROFRONT collaborates in the development of manuals for the System for Registering Cases of Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants and System for Monitoring Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants;

(e)The German Agency for International Cooperation/European Support Programme for Refugees and Migrants and Host Communities in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru contributed technical equipment and training, and the Inter-American Development Bank assists in updating regulations;

(f)OUR and Lantern Rescue participate in initiatives relating to prevention and victim protection, with renewed agreements, and the International Rescue Committee has a memorandum of understanding that will be in force until 2026.

155.Ecuador also participates in the Turquesa Project of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), which is focused on providing training in trafficking and smuggling at the regional level. An important milestone is the incorporation of Ecuador into the Regional Platform against Trafficking and the Smuggling of Migrants in 2025. The results of this cooperation include the establishment of the rapid response team attached to the police, support for national campaigns (e.g. 1800-DELITO), the strengthening of State capacities for support, prevention and investigation, and the exchange of good practices with a focus on gender and human rights.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 21 (h)

156.Between 2023 and 2025, the Government has implemented a number of policies and programmes in cooperation with international organizations to strengthen the management of migration and the protection and integration of migrant children and their families. These actions include participation in projects such as the EUROFRONT/IOM programme to support integrated border management; a European support programme for refugees and migrants, run by the German Agency for International Cooperation; and technical support from the Inter-American Development Bank to update protocols and regulations on trafficking in persons. In addition, collaboration is undertaken with the Organization of American States, on a project to strengthen the Government’s and other sectors’ responses to cases of trafficking in persons, and with UNODC, on a project for transforming alerts into criminal justice responses to combat trafficking in persons within migration flows (Track4TIP). In the field of education, the National Directorate of Education for Democracy and Buen Vivir (peaceable, harmonious, ethical and environmentally sustainable living) implements procedures for identifying and protecting victims of trafficking in the education system and carries out prevention campaigns. A key instrument is the protocol for responding to situations of trafficking in persons in the national education system, issued on 7 November 2024. The Ministry of Education guarantees the coverage of these programmes at the national level through its nine regional coordination offices, ensuring migrant children’s comprehensive development and social and educational integration on an equal footing with nationals.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 21 (i)

157.The Government guarantees the fundamental rights of children and adolescents born in its territory to migrant parents, without discrimination based on their parents’ nationality or migration status, especially the rights to identity, birth registration, nationality, health, education and social protection.

158.Children born in Ecuadorian territory are guaranteed the right to Ecuadorian nationality and identity under articles 6 and 7 of the Constitution and the Code on Children and Adolescents, which establish that persons born in Ecuador are Ecuadorian by birth, irrespective of their parents’ migration status.

159.The Directorate General for Civil Registration, Identification and Documentation is responsible for registering births using free, streamlined procedures. Registration is carried out using the certificate of live birth, which must be generated immediately by public and private health establishments in conjunction with the Ministry of Health. These establishments must also inform parents of the relevant legal requirements.

160.The right to a name is guaranteed by the Organic Act on Identity and Civil Data Management, which provides for the free choice of names. In the case of children of foreign parents, article 38 authorizes the assignment of surnames in accordance with the law currently in force in the father’s or mother’s country. In situations where one of the parents lacks identification documents, a provisional registration is made, without affecting subsequent legal recognition. Birth registration guarantees the legal link between the person and the State for the purpose of exercising rights and obligations.

161.As a result of these measures, between 2024 and June 2025, 5,384 registrations of the births of children and adolescents born in Ecuador to foreign parents were carried out (3,814 in 2024 and 1,570 in 2025). The State has the primary duty to guarantee the effective enjoyment of rights to services such as education, health and social protection without discrimination.

162.The Government has taken concrete protective and preventive measures to combat trafficking and smuggling. Between January 2023 and August 2024, 3,526 minors were prevented from leaving the country at immigration control units in Quito, Guayaquil and Tulcán on the basis of identified migration-related risks. In 2024, the general regulations on the Organic Act against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants were adopted. Article 79 of the regulations establishes specific preventive measures to protect children and adolescents. These measures include preventing them from leaving the country when there are indications that trafficking or smuggling might be taking place, checking that minors know the adults accompanying them, and guaranteeing their access to rights such as health and education.

163.Since July 2024, in response to the growing number of migrant minors, coordination has been undertaken with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Human Rights (now merged with the Ministry of Governance) and the Ministry of Education (now the Ministry of Education, Sports, Culture and Higher Education) with a view to conducting monitoring at the local level, establishing protection pathways and facilitating school reintegration, where necessary. The caja de juegos (game box) was also launched. This is a recreational and educational tool for professionals who work with adolescents, the purpose of which is to inform, provoke reflections on, and prevent trafficking in persons through art and theatrical games, promoting safe environments and forums for dialogue.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 22 (a)

164.Clear and transparent procedures have been established for the revocation of visas, guaranteeing non-discrimination and respect for due process for affected persons in accordance with the Organic Act on Human Mobility and its implementing regulations and the Organic Administrative Code.

165.The revocation of a visa constitutes an administrative sanction that may be applied on only three specific grounds, provided for in article 68 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility: (1) the person concerned has been handed a conviction for offences punishable by imprisonment, as determined by criminal law; (2) the person concerned is proven to have obtained his or her migration status in a fraudulent manner (with the express exception of victims of trafficking in persons or migrant smuggling, who are exempt from this administrative sanction, in line with international instruments); and (3) the person concerned has committed acts that constitute an attack against public safety and the institutional structure of the State, as determined by the competent authority.

166.The implementing regulations for the Organic Act on Human Mobility(article 116 (3)) establish that the human mobility authority is required to act immediately upon receiving the relevant report or information concerning a conviction from the competent authority. Specifically:

(a)In cases where a person has been convicted of offences punishable by more than 5 years’ imprisonment, or who has fraudulently obtained his or her migration status, as established by a judgment, the judge who ruled on the case must order the immediate notification of the human mobility authority and the migration authority for the revocation of the visa and the initiation of deportation proceedings;

(b)In the case of fraudulent obtention of migration status, the human mobility authority has a maximum period of 10 days in which to notify the foreign national of the revocation and 5 days in which to notify the migration authority so that deportation proceedings may be initiated;

(c)In cases involving acts that undermine State security, the human mobility authority must immediately revoke the visa and notify the migration authority within five days so that deportation proceedings may be initiated.

167.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility proceeds with the revocation of a visa only upon receiving notification from the competent authority of the existence of any of the three grounds. The interested party is notified of this administrative decision in accordance with Ministerial Agreement No. 70 of 28 June 2024 (article 31), ensuring the transparency of the decision.

168.Consequently, specific and clear grounds for initiating the revocation procedure have been established in domestic legislation. This administrative decision gives rise to the initiation of the administrative deportation procedure (Organic Act on Human Mobility, article 144; implementing regulations, article 219), in accordance with which the principles of due process are guaranteed through the convening of a hearing within a period of no more than 10 days so that the evidence may be heard.

169.Furthermore, national law, specifically the Organic Administrative Code, guarantees that foreign nationals have the right to file the necessary administrative appeals against administrative decisions relating to revocation, which broadens the protection of their rights and ensures that decisions may be subjected to judicial review.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 22 (b)

170.Clear and transparent procedures have been established for revoking visas, guaranteeing the principles of due process and non-discrimination enshrined in the Constitution and the Organic Act on Human Mobility. Revocation constitutes an administrative sanction that may be applied only on three specific grounds, provided for in article 68 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility: (1) the person concerned has been handed a conviction for offences punishable by imprisonment, as determined by criminal law; (2) the person concerned is proven to have obtained his or her migration status in a fraudulent manner (with the express exception of victims of trafficking in persons or migrant smuggling, to whom this administrative sanction is not applied, in accordance with international instruments); and (3) the person concerned has committed acts that constitute an attack against public safety and the institutional structure of the State, as duly determined by the competent authority.

171.The implementing regulations of the Organic Act on Human Mobility (article 116 (3)) require the human mobility authority to proceed with the revocation immediately upon receiving the relevant reports or information on the judgment from the competent authority. Specifically, in cases where convictions for offences punishable by more than 5 years’ imprisonment have been secured, the judge orders the immediate issuance of notification for the purposes of revocation and registration in the computer system. In cases of fraudulent obtention of migration status, as established in a judgment, the human mobility authority has a maximum period of 10 days in which to notify the foreign national of the revocation and 5 days in which to notify the migration authority so that administrative deportation proceedings may be initiated. Similarly, in cases of acts that threaten State security, duly determined by State agencies, revocation is immediate, with migration control being notified within 5 days.

172.In accordance with Ministerial Agreement No. 70 of 28 June 2024 (article 31), which governs the digital management model, the foreign national and the Ministry of the Interior must be notified of the revocation decision once the report or ruling is known and must be informed that the decision is subject to the corresponding administrative and legal procedures. The administrative decision to revoke a visa, by giving rise to the initiation of the administrative deportation procedure (regulated by articles 144 of the Organic Act on Human Mobility and article 219 of the implementing regulations), guarantees respect for due process by providing for notification of the initiation order and the summons to a hearing within a period not exceeding 10 days so that the evidence may be heard. Consequently, the interested party is notified of the administrative decision, ensuring access to relevant information for the affected party and his or her legal representatives. Under the Organic Administrative Code, foreign nationals have the right to file the necessary administrative appeals against decisions taken by State institutions, which broadens the protection of their rights in the area of human mobility.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 23

173.The migration policy of Ecuador is based on a human rights-focused approach aimed at encouraging the regularization of the status of migrants and their families in order to promote social participation and integration into the formal economy, which, in turn, contributes to safe, orderly and regular migration.

174.Since 2019, three special regularization procedures have been implemented, establishing the country as a regional leader. Under Decree No. 826 of 2019, a visa requirement was established for nationals of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the special humanitarian visa (VERHU) was introduced, 57,502 of which have been issued. Subsequently, between 2022 and 2025, with the support of UNHCR, IOM and other partners, more than 160,000 people regularized their status.

175.The second procedure, involving the VIRTE visa, was carried out in three phases and resulted in the issuance of 95,803 visas and 93,503 identity cards, formally integrating foreign nationals, including 899 minors:

(a)Phase I (10 October 2022 to 15 August 2023): aimed at Venezuelan citizens; the registered migrant procedure was introduced (registering 201,711 people, mostly Venezuelan nationals) and a total of 66,707 visas were issued;

(b)Phase II (12 July 2023 to 12 March 2024): open to all nationalities except Venezuelan nationals; a total of 1,203 visas were issued;

(c)Phase III (5 August 2023 to 5 August 2024): aimed at Venezuelan nationals who entered the country in an irregular manner, facilitating regularization with expired passports, identity cards and consular registration; a total of 27,893 visas were issued.

176.In August 2024, the Government launched a migration amnesty and implemented a new regularization procedure for Venezuelan nationals (VIRTE II), receiving a total of 11,063 visa applications. On 27 September 2024, the procedure for renewing the VIRTE visa began, allowing beneficiaries to extend their temporary residence for an additional two years.

177.Although the information provided is focused on regularization procedures and does not include disaggregated statistics on the change in the number of irregular entries following the issuance of Decree No. 826/2019, or the detection of illicit networks for migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons, the data demonstrate that sustained efforts have been made to establish temporary and permanent channels for obtaining regular migration status, with a significant impact on the Venezuelan population.

178.Executive Decree No. 560 of 11 March 2025 repealed Executive Decree No. 370 of 23 August 2024, which introduced the VIRTE II regularization procedure. The main reason for this suspension was the executive order issued by the Government of the United States on 24 January, which mandated a re-evaluation and realignment of foreign aid. This decision directly affected international cooperation funding for migrant registration and regularization projects such as VIRTE II, which depended on the funding for the development of the eVISAS system and volunteer support.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 24

179.The Government has implemented a comprehensive migration policy focused on facilitating the regularization of migrant workers and their families in order to promote their full integration. The main special mechanism for enabling migrants to regularize their migration status has been the VIRTE visa.

180.This regularization procedure was primarily aimed at Venezuelan nationals, as shown by the figures from phases I and III of the VIRTE procedure. However, temporary channels were established for other nationalities. In particular, phase II of the VIRTE procedure was opened to people other than Venezuelan nationals, allowing for the regularization of 1,203 people, 36 of whom were Haitian nationals, facilitating the regularization of their migration status. These procedures have had a direct impact on policies for ensuring the full integration of migrants by providing them with legal documentation that grants them access to formal employment and social services.

181.The adoption of Executive Decree No. 560 of 11 March 2025, which suspended the implementation of the VIRTE II special regularization procedure (established by Decree No. 370 of 23 August 2024), was motivated by the decision adopted by executive order of the Government of the United States, issued on 24 January, on re-evaluating and realigning foreign aid. This measure not only brought about a reduction in the funding received from the United States Agency for International Development but also had a negative impact on funding from key partners such as IOM and UNHCR, which were forced to reduce their financial support for essential projects such as the VIRTE II migration registration and regularization project, the recruitment of volunteers for the Digital Services Centre, and the development of the eVISAS system. The suspension therefore resulted from the cessation of key international cooperation funding for the technical implementation of the procedure.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 25

182.The authorities use special migration regularization procedures as the most suitable and formalized mechanism for addressing the situation of migrant workers of all backgrounds who lack identification and documentation, in accordance with the Organic Act on Human Mobility and the Constitution. These procedures serve to facilitate the obtention of long-term residency and access to documentation.

183.The special nature of the procedures involves a relaxation of the requirements, conditions and costs associated with visas. This flexibility is essential for persons in vulnerable situations or who lack original documents. Visas granted through these channels, such as the VIRTE visa mentioned in the reply to the issues raised in paragraph 23, allow holders to carry out any legal work-related activity in the country without the need for an additional work permit, thereby facilitating their integration into the formal economy. According to the Ministry for Security and Mobility, the issues raised in paragraphs 24 and 25 are addressed in the reply to the issues raised in paragraph 23 (relating to special regularization policies).

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 26

Notification of voluntary departure from the country

Notification – voluntary departure	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	Total
Migration control units	229	3	2	0	36	28	32	330
Migration support services	824	117	1 455	752	655	911	768	5 482
Migration control operations	2 500	488	2 475	2 454	528	881	859	10 185
Total	3 553	608	3 932	3 206	1 219	1 820	1 659	15 997

Source : Database of the Migration Control Directorate.

Period : 1 January 2019–31 August 2025.

Analysis : The table contains details of notifications of voluntary departure issued to foreign nationals for migration offences.

Current status of the notification of voluntary departure

Notification – voluntary departure	Status	Total
Rescinded	In force
2019	1 559	1 994	3 553
2020	118	490	608
2021	1 177	2 755	3 932
2022	1 165	2 041	3 206
2023	596	623	1 219
2024	676	1 144	1 820
2025	77	1 582	1 659
Total	5 368	10 629	15 997

Source : Database of the Migration Control Directorate.

Period : 1 January 2019–31 August 2025.

Analysis : Notifications of voluntary departure registered in the Ecuadorian migration system have a status of “ in force ” or “ rescinded ” . The status of “ rescinded ” applies when the notified party has initiated the immigration regularization procedure before the competent authority.

Notification of fines issued to citizens for committing migration offences

Notification – fines	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	Total
Migration control units	17 552	3 405	3 062	6 695	3 671	3 589	3 586	41 560
Migration support services	2 574	680	2 528	2 477	1 826	2 810	3 491	16 386
Migration control operations	3 988	6 539	8 287	3 084	757	831	663	24 149
Total	24 114	10 624	13 877	12 256	6 254	7 230	7 740	82 095

Source : Database of the Migration Control Directorate.

Period : 1 January 2019–31 August 2025.

Analysis : The table contains information on fines issued for migration offences, in accordance with the Organic Act on Human Mobility and its implementing regulations.

Current status of fine notifications

Notification – fines	Year	Total
2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Rescinded	1 972	155	739	804	49	5	72	3 796
Paid	2 816	1 096	3 023	3 211	2 621	3 866	3 903	20 536
Current	19 326	9 373	10 115	8 241	3 584	3 359	3 765	57 763
Total	24 114	10 624	13 877	12 256	6 254	7 230	7 740	82 095

Source : Database of the Migration Control Directorate.

Period : 1 January 2019–31 August 2025.

Analysis : Notifications of fines registered in the Ecuadorian migration system have a status of current, paid or rescinded. The status of “ rescinded ” is granted by decision of the General Legal Coordination Office of the Ministry of the Interior in cases where the administrative remedies established in the Organic Administrative Code have been exercised.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 27

184.In response to ruling No. 14-19-IN/23 of the Constitutional Court, and for the purposes of guaranteeing the right to migrate and reorganizing entry regulations, the State decided to repeal Ministerial Agreements No. 244 (2018) and No. 242 (2022) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, as well as Interministerial Agreements No. 1 (articles 1 and 3) and No. 2 (both from 2019), issued jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility and the Ministry of the Interior. Notwithstanding the foregoing, given that the constitutional ruling did not declare Executive Decree No. 826 of 25 July 2019 to be unconstitutional, the visa requirement for Venezuelan nationals entering the country remains in force.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 28 (c)

185.See the information provided in paragraphs 173–178.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 29 (a)

Prosecutions brought for offences of trafficking in persons, discrimination and hate crimes (2021–2025)

Offence (Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code)	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	Total
091 trafficking in persons	28	39	13	18	13	111
176 Discrimination	7	8	6	5	3	29
177 Hate crimes	17	11	14	9	4	55
Total	52	58	33	32	20	195

Source : Automated Court Proceedings System (SATJE).

Period : 1 January 2021–31 August 2025.

Analysis : Between January 2021 and August 2025, a total of 195 cases were filed with the judicial units, distributed as follows: 111 for trafficking in persons (Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code, art. 91), 55 for hate crimes (Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code, art. 177) and 29 for discrimination (Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code, art. 176).

Judgments handed down for offences of trafficking in persons, discrimination and hate crimes (2021–2025)

Type of judgment	91 Trafficking in persons	176 Discrimination	177 Hate crimes	Total
Conviction	11	3	-	14
Mixed outcome (cases with more than one defendant)	6	-	-	6
Acquittal	4	-	7	11
Total	21	3	7	31

Source : Automated Court Proceedings System (SATJE).

Period : 1 January 2021–31 August 2025.

Analysis : During the period concerned, a total of 31 judgments were handed down in court cases, distributed as follows: 21 for trafficking in persons, 3 for discrimination and 7 for hate crimes.

Reports of offences nationwide by year (2021–2025)

Offences	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	Total
Hate crimes	354	346	401	485	159	1 745
Hate crimes (gender-based violence)	22	22	26	50	24	144
Discrimination	100	110	148	182	61	601
Discrimination (gender-based violence)	8	5	8	6	9	36
Total	484	483	583	723	253	2 526

Source : Statistics Directorate of the Attorney General ’ s Office.

Period : 1 January 2021–31 July 2025.

Analysis : During the period concerned, there were 2,526 reports of offences, distributed as follows: 1,745 for hate crimes, 144 for hate crimes involving gender-based violence, 601 for discrimination, and 36 for discrimination involving gender-based violence.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 29 (b)

186.See the information provided in paragraph 29 (a).

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 30 (a)

187.See the information provided in paragraphs 173–178.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 30 (b)

188.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility maintains a general register of Ecuadorian nationals detained abroad, whether for criminal offences or in connection with deportation proceedings, irrespective of their migration or employment status. Consular offices conduct ongoing follow-up, including regular visits to check on detainees’ health and detention conditions, in accordance with local regulations and international law.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 30 (c)

189.According to data issued by the Ministry of the Interior, between January 2021 and August 2025, a total of 57 expulsions were carried out in accordance with current regulations.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 30 (d)

190.Data are available on the number of children and adolescents who have applied for refugee status. Between 1 January 2004 and 31 July 2025, a total of 3,078 unaccompanied children and adolescents who had been separated from their families submitted applications for refugee status in Ecuador; 507 of those applications were granted.