Amnesty International has raised concerns regarding Salvadoran military operations in Haiti, urging both nations to ensure compliance with international human rights laws. This appeal follows confirmation from the United Nations that many Salvadoran troops in Haiti are not operating under the UN-authorized Gang Suppression Force (GSF), thus escaping the UN’s Human Rights Due Diligence Policy oversight, as detailed by a JURIST report.
UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric indicated that the deployment of Salvadoran troops falls outside the mandate of the UN Support Office in Haiti. Consequently, Amnesty’s Americas Director Ana Piquer has called on Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to ensure the forces adhere to international legal standards. This includes publicizing the deployment agreement and outlining the protocols governing military conduct, especially near civilian areas like homes, schools, and hospitals.
The focus on human rights extends to demanding safeguards against forced displacement and ensuring access to basic necessities such as food and medical care. There are calls for trained personnel to protect children, particularly from recruitment by armed gangs, alongside essential guidelines for the use of force that align with principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality. Piquer pointed to Article 51(5)(b) of the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Convention as a foundation for these principles.
Furthermore, Amnesty has emphasized the need for independent investigations into any human rights violations, ensuring fair trials and reparations for victims. There is a particular urgency concerning the fate of four Salvadoran military personnel missing since October, insisting on their safe release if they are held by armed gangs.
El Salvador’s involvement in Haiti began earlier in 2025, partnering with Guatemala to tackle gang violence—reflecting a broader regional commitment, as noted by a Al Jazeera report. This deployment occurs against the backdrop of El Salvador’s controversial state of exception, raising additional concerns about potential human rights abuses.
The Salvadoran government has been under scrutiny since Amnesty reported that measures under this state of exception might constitute crimes against humanity, resulting in over 90,000 detentions and numerous custodial deaths, as highlighted in a separate Amnesty report.
The complex scenario in Haiti, combined with El Salvador’s internal policies, underscores the need for vigilant monitoring to ensure that international norms are upheld, safeguarding the rights and lives of those affected.