from Right to Food , 23-07-2008

  New Constitution of Ecuador recognizes the right to food

In July 2008, the Constituent Assembly of Ecuador completed the first phase of its task and approved the new Constitution. The new Constitution contains several explicit provisions on, and relevant to, the right to food. FAO has promoted the inclusion of the right to food in the Constitution by providing capacity development, international expertise and legal advice during the drafting process of the Constitution.

Article 13 of the draft Constitution is the central provision on the right to food. It stipulates the right to food as “...the right to have unrestricted and permanent access to sufficient and nutritious food corresponding to the cultural traditions of the people to which the consumer belongs, for a healthy and dignified life. Furthermore, it expressly recognizes and guarantees “... the right to food sovereignty", which is a ‘right to food-related’ concept.

The constitution refers to the right to food in various other provisions, for example, in the context of residential homes for the elderly and in the case of displacement. Another provision establishes the right to a dignified life that ensures amongst others food and nutrition. If the Constitution is approved in the referendum scheduled for September 2008, these provisions will be in line with the latest developments in international human rights law, in particular with the Right to Food Guidelines.

See attached: Text of the Constitution
See attached: Analysis of Articles in the Constitution Related to the Right to Food and Food Security