Ecuador starts up its restorative juvenile justice system

The Council of the Judiciary of Ecuador has undertaken a reform in the area of criminal justice for adolescents. The Restorative Juvenile Justice programme has been developed with the backing of EUROsociAL+  

EUROsociAL+, funded by the European Union and managed by FIIAPP, addresses the problem of the situation of young people in conflict with the law, a particularly vulnerable group for whom early intervention is a key factor. 

The processes for abandoning crime become more complex as integration into criminal life increases. It is therefore essential to avoid the damage that prison produces by using mechanisms such as restorative justice. 

This support seeks an alternative to the punishing function of criminal law. The objective is to hold young offenders accountable, recognize wrongdoing and make reparations to the victims. 

The application of this approach helps adolescents in conflict with the criminal law, victims, their families and the community to integrate into positive relationships and promote responsible attitudes among the perpetrators. 

This action involved two workshops aimed at accompanying the Council of the Judiciary and other operators of the juvenile justice system in Ecuador to work on the design and implementation of restorative juvenile justice in the country. 

In addition, EUROsociAL+ also participated in the international seminar “Restorative Juvenile Justice in Ecuador” organized by the Council of the Judiciary, which specialists from the Tierra de Hombres Foundation collaborated in. 

The Constitutional Court of Ecuador, which presented its recent ruling on the impartial and specialized trial for adolescent offenders, was also present.