Human rights organization Cristosal has reported a harrowing toll in El Salvador as a result of the state of emergency declared on March 27, 2022. The report, released on Wednesday, indicates that 265 people have died and 79,211 have been arrested during this period. The state of emergency, which was approved by the El Salvador Legislative Assembly at the behest of President Nayib Bukele, was a response to an upsurge in gang violence and it suspended certain constitutional freedoms (JURIST).
Cristosal’s report details the severe conditions detainees were subjected to, including prolonged confinement without access to light, hygiene, and adequate food. Reports of torture and inhumane treatment abound, with some detainees reportedly developing serious health conditions such as respiratory issues and renal failure due to the physical abuse inflicted upon them. The organization asserts that El Salvador failed to uphold its international legal obligations to respect the lives of individuals in custody (Cristosal).
The government of El Salvador is also accused of failing to investigate these incidents or establish criminal responsibility. Moreover, Cristosal claims that all arrests were made in flagrante delicto without prior investigation, deeming the arrests arbitrary and not in compliance with legal standards.
The El Salvador legislature has extended the state of emergency multiple times, most recently on March 9, 2023, to continue implementing strict measures, including prohibiting public gatherings. These extensions have drawn significant criticism from human rights organizations. In a similar vein, a March 26, 2024, report by Amnesty International highlighted the detrimental impact of the prolonged state of emergency on human rights, condemning the government’s use of its emergency powers to bypass its human rights obligations (Amnesty International).