Humanitarian Legal Relief has reported that 241 people have died in El Salvadorian prisons since President Nayib Bukele declared a “war on gangs” two years ago. The organization has received reports of 500 deaths in state custody and has confirmed about half of them, including two minors. Last year, they documented 126 deaths, which is just half of the number they have documented this year. Bukele’s administration implemented a “state of exception” in March 2022, which led to the arrest of 80,000 people, more than 1% of the country’s population, with many sent to prison with little evidence of their ties to gangs and limited access to due process. The prisons have been described as torture chambers with horrific conditions, leading to numerous deaths, with 44% dying from violent means and serious torture, and 29% due to lack of medical attention.
Despite accusations of mass human rights abuses by the government in their crackdown on gangs, President Bukele remains highly popular in El Salvador due to the sharp decline in homicide rates following the mass detentions. The country has gone from being one of the most dangerous in the world to having the lowest homicide rate in the region. Bukele was reelected in February, despite the country’s constitution prohibiting second terms for presidents. The government has already released 7,000 individuals due to lack of evidence, and the vice president admitted in January that mistakes have been made in the arrests. The rights group estimates that 35% of those arrested in the two years of the exception regime are innocent, and 94% of the deceased had no affiliation with gangs. The victims were often working individuals such as traders, cab drivers, farmers, and evangelical pastors.
Humanitarian Legal Relief has called on the El Salvadorian government to investigate the homicides that have occurred in prisons and all forced disappearances of detainees. The rights organization demands justice for those who have suffered as a result of the government’s aggressive tactics in combating gang activity. The report highlights the innocent individuals who have been caught up in the government’s crackdown, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the human rights violations that have taken place. The organization aims to hold those responsible for the deaths and disappearances of detainees accountable for their actions, pushing for greater transparency and accountability within the country’s legal system.
The situation in El Salvador has raised concerns among human rights groups and the international community regarding the government’s approach to combating gang violence. The high number of deaths in prisons and reports of torture and lack of medical attention demonstrate the severe consequences of the state’s actions. The country’s efforts to reduce homicide rates have come at a great cost, with innocent individuals becoming victims of the government’s crackdown on gangs. The international community must continue to monitor the situation in El Salvador and push for accountability and justice for those who have been affected by the government’s aggressive tactics. Efforts must be made to ensure that human rights are respected and upheld in the country, even in the face of challenges posed by gang violence.
