Preferencias académicas de los estudiantes de la carrera de Derecho y su vinculación con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) a través del estudio de sentencias

Abstract

Abstract: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, titled Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, aims to promote peaceful, inclusive, and just societies by ensuring equal access to justice and strengthening the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of public institutions. Within the scope of criminal law, this goal is especially relevant, as it demands legal systems that not only punish crime but also uphold the principles of due process, presumption of innocence, legality, and proportionality of punishment. This research analyzes the role of criminal law in the implementation of SDG 16, emphasizing its contribution to the consolidation of the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights. Through a critical review of key court rulings particularly judgment No. 1610-22-EP/22 issued by the Constitutional Court of Ecuador it becomes evident that constitutional jurisprudence can be an effective tool to correct procedural violations, such as the right to appeal, and simultaneously strengthen judicial institutions. In addition, this study addresses structural challenges such as the limited inclusion of vulnerable groups in accessing justice, the need for effective inter-institutional strategies, and the role of public participation in the development and oversight of public policies. It concludes that strengthening the criminal justice system, in alignment with the principles of SDG 16, is essential for building a fairer, more peaceful, and democratic society.