The ‘State of Exception’s purpose is to exert control over all voices that do not align with the official narrative, said attorney Ortiz.

On Thursday, the human rights organization Tutela Legal “Maria Julia Hernandez” (TLMJH) denounced that at least 415 people have died in Salvadoran prisons while in state custody since the beginning of the “State of Exception”.

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That figure is based on complaints collected by NGOs, said Alejandro Diaz, a member of TLMJH, who noted that the Salvadoran government has not provided any official information on the matter.

March 27 marked three years since the state of exception was implemented. So far authorities have reported more than 85,900 arrests of alleged gang members and individuals purportedly linked to these groups.

“This security policy has violated human rights in recent years. There have been serious human rights violations and international crimes such as short-term disappearances, enforced disappearances and torture,” Diaz said, emphasizing that the measure “is now being applied to human rights defenders and the persecution is increasing.”

Proposed by President Nayib Bukele, the state of exception suspends several constitutional guarantees, including the right to legal defense for detainees, the inviolability of telecommunications, and the standard three-day limit on administrative detention, which has been extended to 15 days.

Diaz and other NGO representatives warned that the state of exception has shifted from a measure targeting gangs to a form of social control.

“The state of exception does not ultimately aim to ensure public safety; its real purpose is to exert social control over all voices that do not align with the official narrative. In recent days, we have seen an escalation in the persecution of human rights defenders,” attorney David Ortiz said, citing the cases of attorney Ruth Lopez, environmental activist Alejandro Henriquez, and community leader Jose Perez.

The Attorney General’s Office has yet to file charges against Lopez — nearly two weeks after her detention — while Henriquez and Perez were charged on Tuesday with public disorder.

“We were told the state of exception was aimed at gangs. Why, then, is the Salvadoran government applying it to human rights defenders?” Ortiz asked.

Samuel Ramirez, a member of the Victims of the Regime Movement (MOVIR), lamented the lack of response from the country’s judicial institutions. He pointed out that more than 600 habeas corpus petitions have been filed with the Supreme Court, requesting the release of an equal number of individuals detained arbitrarily.

“Bukele has grown used to ruling through fear, subjecting the Salvadoran people… the repression of human rights is worsening, and human rights defenders are afraid to speak out. The regime does not spare anyone, and we see no sign that it is willing to listen to the victims,” Ramirez added.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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