El Salvador Rises Up Against Mounting Gang Murders, Slams Response as ‘Cold and Inhumane’
The introduction of a series of measures in El Salvador in response to a rise in gang killings, has prompted the grave concern of the UN human rights office, which noted on Tuesday a pattern of “unnecessary and excessive use of force” by police and military forces.
Since the state of emergency adopted on 27 March, police and military personnel in the country have been deployed to some gang strongholds, in an effort to contain the violence.
But, according to recent reports, more than 5,747 people have been detained without an arrest warrant, and some have reportedly “been subjected to alleged cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment”, said Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Legal crackdown
In addition to the state of emergency, OHCHR is also deeply concerned about certain amendments to criminal law and criminal procedure.
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Those raise serious concerns from the perspective of international human rights law and standards, through their imposition of elevated sentences, including with respect to children, in combination with weakening of due process guarantees, the UN rights office said in a statement.
Speaking to the reporters in Geneva, Ms. Throssell added that the changes meant “criminal trials could now be held in absentia, in the case of alleged gang members, or presided over by so-called “faceless” judges whose identity remained “confidential”.
A two-year limit on pretrial detention had been abolished, and teenagers associated with gangs, who were found guilty of serious offences, might now be sentenced as adults and serve their sentence in adult rather than juvenile detention.
“Those aged 12 to 16 years must now serve a 10-year term of imprisonment instead of 7 years; and those aged 16 to 18 years must serve a 20-year term”, she added.
Challenges of gang violence
OHCHR recognized the challenges posed by gang violence in El Salvador, and the State’s duty to ensure security and justice, said Ms. Throssell.
However, she said it was imperative for the Government to act in compliance with international human rights law.
Highlighting the right to life, the right not to be subjected to torture, fair trial principles and the presumption of innocence, OHCHR reminded that those rights should be protected, even during states of emergency and especially in the case of children.
Treating prisoners humanely
Responding to journalists’ questions, Ms. Throssell said that it was necessary to ensure that prisoners were treated humanely and were provided with access to food, water, and sanitation.
“Given that prisons in many parts of Latin America are overcrowded and have problems with inmate violence, reports that juveniles would be held with adults are particularly troubling”, she said.
She added that the OHCHR regional office in Central America is engaged with the region’s Governments over human rights concerns.
Roots of violence
Also briefing journalists, Boris Cheshirkov, UN refugee agency (UNHCR) Spokesperson, said that the levels of gang violence had caused what is “primarily an internal displacement situation”, with tens of thousands of people forced from their homes around the country.
According to recent data, there are more than 114 thousand internally displaced across El Salvador.
Mr. Cheshirkov added that UNHCR looked “forward to the lifting of Title 42 border restrictions by the United States, which would be an essential step for restoring the right of asylum”.
The Title 42 restrictions were imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and allow Border Patrol agents to quickly turn away migrants at the southern border of the United States arguing that they posed a threat to public health.
For the past five years, poverty, food insecurity, climate shocks and violence have pushed, on average, some 378,000 Central Americans a year, to seek refuge or asylum in the United States.
Simon Blake is an experienced journalist deeply interested in international affairs and global development. Having spent years reporting on humanitarian issues, he offers a unique perspective in his coverage of United Nations news.
These actions by the authorities are absolutely unacceptable. The use of excessive force and arbitrary detention only exacerbate the already dire situation in El Salvador. Such blatant disregard for human rights must be condemned by the international community.
Do these measures truly address the root causes of gang violence in El Salvador?
The measures adopted in El Salvador to combat gang violence may temporarily reduce the immediate threats, but without addressing the underlying socio-economic factors driving young individuals into gang activities, the root causes of violence remain untouched. It is crucial to implement comprehensive social programs aimed at providing alternatives and opportunities for vulnerable youth, in parallel with law enforcement efforts.
Do you think the measures taken in El Salvador are justified given the concerns raised by the UN human rights office?
As an advocate for human rights, I believe it is crucial to address gang violence effectively while upholding basic human rights principles. The reported incidents of excessive force and arbitrary detentions in El Salvador are alarming and must be investigated thoroughly. It is essential to strike a balance between security measures and respecting individual freedoms to prevent further violations. Our collective effort should focus on finding sustainable solutions that protect both citizens and their rights.
As a passionate advocate for human rights, I find the situation in El Salvador deeply troubling. The excessive use of force by police and military forces, along with the reported violations of due process and mistreatment of detainees, is a clear violation of international human rights standards. It is imperative that the authorities in El Salvador respect the rights and dignity of all individuals, including those accused of crimes.
It’s disheartening to see the excessive use of force by police and military in response to gang violence in El Salvador. We must prioritize human rights and due process in any legal crackdown, especially when it involves children.
Do you think the measures taken by the police and military in El Salvador are justified in the face of rising gang killings?
As a journalist covering human rights issues, I can understand the urgency to address gang violence in El Salvador. However, the reported abuses and lack of due process in detainment are deeply concerning. It is crucial to find a balance between security measures and upholding human rights standards.
These actions reflect a troubling trend of escalating violence and disregard for basic human rights. It’s imperative for the international community to monitor this situation closely and advocate for justice and accountability in El Salvador.
It is truly disheartening to witness the state’s response being labeled as ‘cold and inhumane’. The crackdown on gang violence should not come at the expense of human rights and due process. The reports of excessive force and detainment without proper procedure are deeply concerning. The authorities must uphold international standards and protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of the situation.
It is alarming how the authorities in El Salvador are resorting to such excessive use of force in dealing with the gang violence. The rights of individuals seem to be greatly overlooked in this situation, and the amendments to criminal law are deeply concerning. International human rights standards must be upheld, even in challenging times.
As a long-time human rights advocate, I am appalled by the reported actions of the police and military in El Salvador. It is unacceptable for over 5,747 individuals to be detained without proper legal procedures and subjected to cruel treatment. This disregard for human rights must be condemned at the international level.