The Runa Sipiy Report by Asociación Silueta X documents 30 murders of LGBT+ individuals in Ecuador during 2025, consolidating itself as the most comprehensive source for hate crime records in the country. Of these cases, 21 correspond to transfemicides, evidencing that trans women face extreme levels of lethal violence.
Systematic persecution beyond isolated crimes
Documented cases reflect a pattern beyond isolated incidents. Persecution based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Ecuador manifests through:
- Murders with torture patterns (78% show signs of pre-mortem torture).
- Institutional impunity: 82% of cases without conviction.
- Forced displacement of survivors of police and family violence.
- Absence of effective protective measures despite prior complaints.
The case of Kimberly (Guayaquil, February 2025) illustrates this pattern: a trans woman threatened for 3 months, with 4 police reports filed without response. She was murdered in broad daylight on a public street. Her story replicates that of dozens of victims who sought state protection without obtaining it.
International context and protection standards
This systematic documentation has been recognized by international organizations as evidence of country conditions in international protection processes, including asylum applications in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. According to standards of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, persecution based on gender identity and sexual orientation constitutes valid grounds for protection when the State fails to guarantee safety.
Asociación Silueta X maintains verifiable records of each case, with documentation protocols including:
- Testimonies from family members and community.
- Certificates of unprocessed complaints.
- Photographic records of crime scenes (when possible).
- Monitoring of judicial processes.
Key data 2025:
- 30 confirmed LGBT+ murders.
- 21 transfemicides (66% of total).
- Average age of trans victims: 28 years.
- 8 cases of victims under 21 years old.
- Only 8 cases with conviction (17%).
Gender-based persecution and asylum
International human rights law recognizes that when specific groups face systematic violence without effective state response, conditions exist that may justify international protection. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has established that gender-based persecution includes violence against transgender individuals.
Documentation provided by Asociación Silueta X has been utilized in:
- Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) reports.
- Amnesty International documentation.
- Asylum processes in the U.S., Canada, and Spain.
For urgent protection cases or violence documentation: info@siluetax.org
