Ecuador advances bill to punish child recruitment with up to 26 years in prison
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Ecuador’s National Assembly’s Transparency and Citizen Participation Commission unanimously approved a technical document that allows debate on a law designed to prevent and punish the recruitment of minors by criminal organizations.
The proposed organic law would modify 15 national legal codes to protect sovereignty and citizen security. The bill focuses on expanding the definition of criminal activity to include not only recruiting and enlisting children but also using and utilizing them within organized crime.
Currently, convictions for these crimes carry sentences of 10 to 13 years in prison. The proposed law would increase the penalty to a range of 22 to 26 years. Beyond punishment, the legislation directs local governments and rights protection boards to develop community plans focused on early detection of vulnerable children. These plans will prioritize monitoring online platforms where recruitment occurs, identifying social risk factors, and running prevention campaigns addressing substance abuse.
The state will also fund comprehensive support for victims and their families, including mental healthcare, scholarships, and free legal representation. The approved document represents a broad structural intervention, reforming a total of 15 laws including the Children and Adolescents Code and the Organic Law on Health Mental. These changes aim to strengthen the state’s ability to confront criminal threats.
