The El Salvador legislature has approved President Nayib Bukele’s request to extend the ongoing state of emergency for an additional 30 days. This marks the 24th extension since the state of emergency was first declared two years ago.
The approval, given during the 147th plenary session, is said to uphold the commitment of the legislature to give utmost importance to the safety and welfare of Salvadorans. Ernesto Castro, President of the assembly, assured that they will continue to vote for emergency extensions as long as deemed necessary.
According to the vice president of the legislature, Suecy Estrada, there have been 571 days without homicides under the new government, as reported. The emergency regime has evidently contributed to the safety of people and reduction of criminal extortion, and Estrada commits to keep extending it until all gang members are removed from the streets.
Initially, the state of emergency was enacted on March 27, 2022, to address increased killings by organized criminal gangs. It permits the Salvadoran government to curtail constitutional freedoms like the right to legal defense, due process and presumption of innocence.
Under this, public gatherings have been strictly prohibited by the government and several human rights groups have raised concerns over arbitrary arrests and potential violations of human rights. Amnesty International, in their report last year, highlighted the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, alleging instances of torture and cruel treatment in detention centers.