El Salvador Urged to Reinstate Constitutional Rights Amid Security Gains

The Organization of American States' human rights commission has urged El Salvador to end its prolonged state of emergency and restore suspended constitutional rights. This follows significant security improvements from an anti-gang crackdown initiated in March 2022. The crackdown has been criticized for arbitrary arrests and use of excessive force.

A prominent human rights commission has urged El Salvador to conclude its long-running state of emergency and reinstate suspended constitutional rights following substantial security improvements due to its anti-gang crackdown.

The Washington-based Organization of American States' human rights commission reported that the government's improved crime data no longer justified the suspension of rights. Initiated by President Nayib Bukele after a sudden wave of murders in March 2022, the emergency state has been renewed monthly.

The anti-gang measures, which included mass arrests and suspended legal defenses, have also led to systemic abuses such as arbitrary detention and excessive force. The commission urged the Salvadoran government to investigate human rights violations and ensure due process.

(With inputs from agencies.)