Discover the main points of the referendum in Ecuador | World and Science

The 11 questions formulated by the president of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, in this Sunday’s referendum (21) aim to allow the extradition of citizens, toughen penalties against organized crime and create specialized courts, among other measures.

The questions, to which Ecuadorians answer “Yes” or “No”, seek to give the Armed Forces a greater role in the fight against drug trafficking, which has transformed the country into a strategic center for its operations and triggered a wave of violence.

Referendum

– Allow complementary support from the Armed Forces to the police in combating organized crime

Currently, the Constitution determines that the military is responsible for defending sovereignty, while maintaining public order is the responsibility of the police.

– Allow extradition

The Constitution determines that, in no case, will the extradition of Ecuadorian citizens be granted. The proposed constitutional amendment refers to crimes of terrorism and crimes against humanity, with the condition that the death penalty will not be applied in the country of destination.

– Create specialized courts in constitutional matters

If the measure is approved, specialized judges will be installed throughout the country and will decide exclusively in their own jurisdictions. In Ecuador, there were cases in which politicians and criminals benefited from relief measures granted by judges in places that did not correspond to the processes.

– Recognize international arbitration to resolve commercial and investment disputes

During the government of former socialist president Rafael Correa (2007-2017), Ecuador ended bilateral investment treaties and withdrew from arbitration bodies, such as Ciadi.

– Establish a fixed-term and hourly employment contract

Correa’s government eliminated hourly work, considering it made working conditions precarious. Noboa’s initiative to promote employment is rejected by unions and indigenous sectors.

Popular consultation

– Control of weapons by the Armed Forces in access to prisons

The prisons, where authorities found weapons more sophisticated than those used by the public force themselves, are the scene of massacres among prisoners who are members of drug trafficking groups vying for power.

– Increased penalties for ten crimes, such as terrorism and drug trafficking

Noboa, in war against drug trafficking, defined around 20 groups as “terrorists”. This crime is punishable by up to 13 years in prison.

– Elimination of sentence reductions for those convicted of crimes such as terrorism

– That security forces can make immediate use of seized weapons

– Classify the crime of possession or carrying of weapons for exclusive use by military and police officers

– Simplify the procedure of the Dominion Extinction law, so that the State becomes the owner of assets of illicit or unjustified origin seized

If “Yes” wins the referendum, the constitutional amendments will come into force as soon as the results are published in the Official Gazette. In the case of popular consultation, the proposals will have to be debated and approved by the unicameral National Assembly, where the opposition is the majority, but is dispersed.