Amnesty International reported June 2 that authorities in El Salvador have committed “massive” human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, due process violations and torture, under cover of an ongoing state of emergency. Amnesty found that 35,000 individuals have been illegally detained without due process since President Nayib Bukele declared a state of emergency in response to gang violence in March, suspending constitutional guarantees. At least 1,190 minors are among the detained, and more than 18 detainees have died in custody. The National Assembly has twice extended the so-called “regime of exception” by 30-day intervals. The day after Amnesty issued the report, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) urged El Salvador’s government to comply with international human rights obligations in implementing security measures. (Jurist, Jurist)
Photo: Presidencia de El Salvador
El Salvador: leaked database confirms mass rights violations
Human Rights Watch announced Jan. 27 that a leaked database provided evidence of mass human rights abuses in El Salvador, including due process violations, extreme prison overcrowding, and deaths in custody. The database, likely obtained from the Ministry of Public Safety, is said to contain the names, ages, and genders of those prosecuted between March 2022 until August 2022. It indicates that thousands of people, including hundreds of children, have been arrested and charged with broadly defined crimes that violate detainees’ basic due process guarantees. The state of emergency declared in March 2022 remains in place at this time. (Jurist)