Análisis legal de la obligación del Estado ecuatoriano frente a la desaparición forzada en ámbitos nacional e internacional

This study analyzed the legal obligation of the Ecuadorian State regarding the crime of enforced disappearance, through a legal approach that linked international commitments with their national implementation. Tensions were identified between formal legal recognition and the limited institutional capacity to prevent, investigate, punish, and provide reparations. A qualitative approach was adopted, including legal analysis and semi-structured interviews with justice operators and legal professionals, aiming to understand the gap between current regulations and their effective application. The findings revealed systematic state interference in investigations, unjustified delays, and low levels of access to justice for victims and their families. Despite legal progress, structural weaknesses were found to hinder the eradication of this crime and foster impunity. As a key contribution, the study proposed legal, institutional, and social strategies to strengthen state compliance and promote a comprehensive approach to prevention and redress. The research emphasized the need to align national legislation with international standards, create specialized units, establish a unified national registry, and ensure active victim participation in public policy. The study’s relevance lay in exposing an ongoing issue that threatens fundamental rights and erodes public trust, while offering viable legal responses grounded in human dignity.