Proyecto de reforma del artículo 31 del Código Orgánico General de Procesos: Capacidad Procesal para garantía del derecho a la participación y opinión de las niñas, niños y adolescentes en procesos judiciales

Abstract

Abstract: The research titled: Proposal for the Reform of Article 31 of the Código Orgánico General de Procesos (COGEP): Procedural Capacity as a Guarantee of the Right to Participation and Opinion of Children and Adolescents in Judicial Proceedings proposes an amendment to the mentioned article of the COGEP in order to strengthen the procedural capacity of this population as a guarantee of their right to defense and to be heard. The normative, doctrinal, and jurisprudential analysis reveals limitations in the recognition of autonomy and differentiated procedural representation, particularly in family-related conflicts. The proposal is based on the principle of the best interests of the child and on international standards such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. It advocates for the explicit recognition of differentiated procedural capacity, adequate legal representation, and the right of children and adolescents to be heard. The methodology follows both qrualitative and quantitative approaches within a legal-propositional framework. The research concludes that the proposed reform would help reduce gaps in access to a more equal and inclusive justice system.