Members of the Center American University José Simeón Cañas (UCA) and Catholic parishioners in El Salvador gathered on Saturday to honour eight people killed by military forces in 1989, renewing calls for justice in a case that remains unresolved.

The commemorative programme featured a procession, a religious service and moments of reflection dedicated to the victims of the massacre, which took place at the university’s facilities on November 16, 1989. Participants also highlighted the importance of clarifying the circumstances surrounding human rights violations.

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The victims were Jesuit priests Ignacio Ellacuría, Segundo Montes, Ignacio Martín-Baró, Amando López, Juan Ramón Moreno and Joaquín López y López, alongside Elba Ramos and her daughter, Celina Ramos.

Beyond remembering those killed, the gathering provided an opportunity to draw attention to broader human rights concerns. Participants voiced support for initiatives aimed at protecting civil rights and the environment, while calling for judicial action on cases they consider matters of public interest.

Among the demands raised was the release of lawyer and human rights defender Ruth López, as well as individuals whom participants consider innocent and who remain detained under the state of exception implemented in March 2022 under Bukele’s far-right administration.

Meanwhile, proceedings concerning the 1989 massacre remain without a definitive outcome. The trial, previously scheduled to begin in July and subsequently postponed to October, has now been rescheduled for April 2027.

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