In speech and on paper, both Daniel Noboa and Luisa González aim to reform and improve the judicial system and the capacity of law enforcement.
The two candidates who will contest the second round in October promise to solve the country’s security problems. Both Daniel Noboa and Luisa González propose actions on this matter in their government plans.
While both have specific proposals and others quite general, neither spells out how institutional, legal, and operational reforms within the judicial system and law enforcement will be achieved.
But they do agree that the problem of violence and organized crime in the country has deep social roots, due to inequality and lack of opportunities.
This makes Noboa focus as part of his strategy on improving the socioeconomic conditions of the population, from access to basic services. While González locates social improvements in other segments of his plan.
Both also agree that education is a key factor, not only from childhood, but in society in general. And in the need for greater cohesion and community participation.
And, although in speech they have similar objectives, such as a judicial reform and the purification of the forces of order, as well as greater transparency and respect for human rights in their management, the purpose of these changes will only be seen in practice.
Next PRIMICIAS presents a summary of the main proposals that both candidates put forward in their government plans:
Daniel Noboa – DNA alliance
Daniel Noboa, candidate for the People, Equality and Democracy alliance (PID, of former President Lenin Moreno’s cousin) and Mover (formerly Alianza PAIS), acknowledges that “poverty, inequality, lack of opportunities and underemployment generate frustration and despair, often driving people to crime.”
Therefore, it points to socioeconomic development as a pillar for the reduction of violence. And he adds that “the current, mainly punitive approach has proven to be insufficient. More attention should be paid to prevention and rehabilitation of offenders”.
In addition, in his government plan he explains that the judicial system must be strengthened, as well as the forces of order and that they have “adequate representation of the diversity of the country in their ranks.” And he talks about strengthening community participation and organization.
As for specific actions, it establishes three categories in the area: security, cybersecurity and the prison system.
In the field of general security, it proposes proposals such as:
- An inclusive socioeconomic development program, focused on job creation, improving the quality of education and access to basic services.
- A reform of the judicial and police system, to improve its efficiency and equity, as well as the capacity for peaceful conflict resolution.
- Transparency and accountability of security institutions, including regular audits, a strict code of conduct, and citizen complaint mechanisms.
- A community participation program, including surveillance and complaints.
- Education for peace, working with schools and families.
- And crime prevention through urban design, to contribute to crime prevention (better street lighting, safe parks, and well-maintained public spaces).
Regarding cybersecurity, Noboa offers:
- A program of inclusive socioeconomic development and digital literacy.
- Implement training and resources so that the judicial system and security forces can face and prevent cybercrimes. As well as the creation of specialized units.
- Establish strict regulations to protect personal data collected by system institutions.
- Conduct awareness campaigns to inform the public about how to protect themselves from cybercrime.
- Complement educational initiatives with content on digital security.
- Establish a national cybersecurity strategy that encompasses the public and private sectors.
About the prison system, his proposals are:
- Speed up judicial proceedings, including the hiring of more judicial personnel, the implementation of technologies, and the revision of pretrial detention policies.
- Improve prison conditions.
- Develop rehabilitation programs for inmates to reduce recidivism rates.
- Improve the education and training of prison staff.
- Regular audits to the management of the system.
- And promote alternative sentences for non-violent crimes.
Luisa González – Citizen Revolution
The correísmo candidate, Luisa González, speaks of establishing “an impartial order without discrimination for any reason”, which fosters respect, compassion and empathy.
In his government plan, he explains that “the underlying causes of insecurity, such as poverty, social exclusion and lack of opportunities” must be addressed and, on the other, act “with forcefulness and full respect for human rights in the face of violence.”
The candidate also says that they will advocate for ” fair and impartial legal systems.” And she warns that she does not rule out ” a restorative process to re-institutionalize the country.”
For this, it proposes a section called “justice for peace, security and order”, which is divided into two categories: citizens in peace and citizens with security.
In the first it offers:
- Recover certain institutions that disappeared after the departure of Rafael Correa, such as the Ministry of Security Coordination and the Ministry of Justice.
- Restructure the Ministries of the Interior and Government and purge the ranks of the security forces.
- Establish a new citizen security model, based on prevention.
- Retake state control over the social rehabilitation system and reaffirm the state’s monopoly on weapons.
- Improve the capacity to investigate and prosecute crime.
- Promote cooperation and the exchange of information on criminal activities and criminal patterns, between national and international institutions.
- Reduce impunity and apply proportional and dissuasive sanctions.
- Protect victims, ensure reparation and rehabilitation.
- Develop intelligence and technology strategies.
- Implement educational programs and awareness campaigns.
- Organize citizen participation, as well as community alarm mechanisms together with local governments.
- Develop sports, music, activities to promote gender equality, a culture of peace and the fight against machismo and violence.
Regarding “safe citizenship”, González promises:
- Strengthen the integrated security system Ecu 911.
- Establish a special agency to combat cybercrime.
- Improve road safety, preventing traffic accidents.
- Establish a human rights training system for the public forces and prison guides.
- Recover the free preparation and training of the Armed Forces, National Police and prison guides.
- Zero tolerance for the excessive use of force, the repression of legitimate protest and State terrorism.
- Ensure that human rights violations are thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are brought to justice.
- Strengthen the capacities and training of security forces so that they can respond effectively and respectfully.
- Promote a national campaign to dignify the National Police.
- Update salaries and wages of the Police.
- Strengthen and create specialized units on money laundering, cybercrime, migrant smuggling, trafficking, child protection.
- Strengthen gender equality within the Police, create a Women Police Unit for the prevention, monitoring and investigation of femicide, human trafficking for sexual exploitation and violence against women.
- And establish rehabilitation and social reintegration programs, avoiding recidivism.
