Human Rights Crisis in El Salvador Under Emergency Regime
El Salvador is facing a severe human rights crisis following two years of a state of emergency imposed by President Nayib Bukele. A report by the non-governmental organization Cristosal reveals that at least 176 minors have been orphaned due to the deaths of their parents in state custody. The report, titled 'Silence is not an option,' documents the deaths of 261 adults and four minors between 2022 and 2024.
Systematic Violations and State Repression
Cristosal's investigation highlights that the emergency regime, which suspends constitutional guarantees and extends provisional detention, has led to systematic violations of human rights. The regime has resulted in arbitrary detentions, torture, and deaths in state custody. The report underscores that the Executive, armed forces, security forces, Legislative Branch, and Justice apparatus are working in unison to impose a repressive system aimed at social control and intimidation.
Impact on Vulnerable Populations
The report sheds light on the disproportionate impact on young men from low-economic backgrounds, who constitute the majority of those detained and deceased. Additionally, women and children have been severely affected, with cases of sexual abuse and forced abandonment of minors being reported. Cristosal has provided legal support to over 1,150 people displaced due to violence, with a significant portion of this violence attributed to state security forces.
- The emergency regime in El Salvador, which began in March 2022, has been extended multiple times by the pro-government Legislative Assembly. The government claims the regime has led to significant reductions in violent deaths and homicides, with President Bukele stating that June was the safest month in the country's history.
- However, Cristosal's report contradicts these claims, providing evidence of the human cost of the Bukele security model. The report documents cases of torture, cruel treatment, and deaths in state custody, with a significant impact on vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.
- The report also highlights the role of women in seeking justice and providing for their families in the face of the regime's repressive measures. Cristosal's findings indicate that the emergency regime has led to widespread human rights violations, with state security forces becoming new perpetrators of violence.
