Acción de hábeas corpus como garantía de protección de derechos de personas privadas de la libertad como grupo vulnerable en el contexto de la sentencia n° 992-20-ep23 de la Corte Constitucional del Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract: This ruling addresses the habeas corpus action filed by a citizen detained for an alleged crime of sexual abuse. The plaintiff argued that his health and physical integrity were compromised due to the overcrowded conditions in the prison during the COVID-19 pandemic. . Although the Provincial and National Courts recognized their violated rights, they decided to maintain preventive detention, citing the seriousness of the crime. The Constitutional Court evaluated the relationship between the deprivation of liberty and the protection of human rights, highlighting that the State has the obligation to guarantee not only freedom, but also the right to health and to conditions of detention compatible with human dignity. He reiterated that the habeas corpus action can be used to correct situations that affect the health of inmates, not only to request their freedom. This ruling highlights the importance of considering exceptional factors and the impact of the pandemic on the administration of criminal justice, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to protecting the rights of people deprived of Liberty.