By Nelson Renteria
In a recent report by Human Rights Watch, it has been revealed that more than 60 children in El Salvador have been arbitrarily detained, tortured, and beaten since the government declared a state of emergency over two years ago to combat gangs.
According to the New York-based rights group, police and soldiers have detained 3,319 children and teenagers from March 2022 to April this year, during which certain civil rights were suspended. The report states that many of these children had no apparent connection to gang activity and were subjected to severe ill-treatment amounting to torture while in detention.
The Salvadoran government has denied these allegations, claiming that torture does not occur in its prisons. However, Human Rights Watch has criticized the authorities for failing to protect the children from violence by other detainees, including beatings and sexual assault.
The report documents 66 cases of minors who were subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, and police harassment, highlighting that arrests seemed to be based on physical appearance and socioeconomic conditions rather than credible evidence. Additionally, over 1,000 minors have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms in trials with questionable evidence and lack of due process.
Despite the human rights violations, the state of emergency has led to a significant decrease in homicides, making El Salvador one of the safest countries in the Americas. President Nayib Bukele has garnered strong popular support for his tough stance on crime.
Local rights group Cristosal reported last week that at least 265 people have died in state custody, including four babies.
Analysis:
This report sheds light on the human rights abuses faced by children in El Salvador during the government's state of emergency. The arbitrary detention, torture, and lack of due process reveal a troubling reality for the country's youth. It is crucial for authorities to address these issues and ensure the protection of children's rights. As investors, it is important to consider the political and social climate of a country when making financial decisions, as human rights violations can have long-term consequences on stability and economic growth.