E/C.12/ECU/CO/4

Ecuador (CESCR 14-11-2019)

The Committee considered the fourth periodic report of Ecuador (E/C.12/ECU/4) at its 38th and 39th meetings (see E/C.12/2019/SR.38 and E/C.12/2019/SR.39), held on 3 and 4 October 2019, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 60th meeting, held on 18 October 2019.

Concluding observations

C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations

Non-discrimination

25. The Committee is concerned about the absence of a general law establishing a comprehensive list of prohibited grounds of discrimination. The Committee is also concerned about the inefficiency of the social expenditure classification system in gauging equality. Lastly, it is concerned about the persistence of de facto systemic discrimination and manifestations of violence against some population groups, in particular women, indigenous peoples, people of African descent, Montubio people, rural populations, migrants and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, among others (art. 2 (2)).
26. The Committee recommends that the State party promote the adoption of a general non-discrimination law that reflects all prohibited grounds of discrimination. The Committee encourages the State party to take measures to document formal and substantive discrimination in the State party and to report on the impact of measures taken. Lastly, the Committee encourages the State party to take the necessary steps to give effect to the decision of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador on equal civil marriage rights. The Committee draws the State party’s attention to its general comment No. 20 (1998) on non-discrimination in economic, social and cultural rights.