Why Human Rights Watch Exposed the Bukele Regime

The organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) presented a report denouncing that more than 3,000 minors have been detained in The Savior since the start of the emergency regime in 2022.

This last measure was one of the most highlighted by the government of Nayib Bukele in their “war” against gangs either maras.

The document, titled “Your son does not exist here.” , cites a series of cases in which there were “mistreatment”, “indiscriminate detentions” and even “acts of torture” .

“The data we have (indicates that) Between March 2022 and December 2023, 3,319 boys and girls were detained ” said HRW Americas director Juanita Goebertus, presenting the report.

The organization’s article says that “Many of the children and adolescents arrested and imprisoned had no apparent connection to the abusive activities of the gangs” .

“The authorities subjected them to ill-treatment during their detention, In some cases, they amount to acts of torture. The minors were detained in deplorable conditions. including overcrowding, lack of access to adequate food and medical care, and family contact.”

At the same time, they denounce that “Some were detained with adults in violation of international human rights standards and Salvadoran law.

“The authorities have taken little or no action to protect children and adolescents violence by other prisoners, including beatings and sexual assault “.

The HRW investigation also accuses More than 1,000 minors have been sentenced mainly for gang membership.

“The crimes for which minors have often been convicted, such as ‘illicit groups’, have definitions that are too broad and They provide for maximum sentences of 10 to 20 years in prison. These convictions were often based on uncorroborated police testimony. and sometimes contradictory.

Goebertus stressed in the presentation of the report that “The government must implement an effective security policy that respects human rights” .

“Allowing human rights to be violated, supposedly to protect security, is rapidly beginning to erode “The rule of law and democracy are so violated that there are no rights left to protect citizens,” added HRW’s Americas director.

For his part, HRW’s deputy director for the Americas, Juan Pappier, said that “It is clear that gang violence has decreased in the country” .

“What happens is that This decrease in violence has come at a very high and totally unjustified human cost, affecting these innocent children and adolescents. that they had nothing to do with the brutal gangs operating in El Salvador.

Until, The Salvadoran government has not referred to the report. organisation.