Juanita Goebertus of Human Rights Watch outlines serious human rights violations and deteriorating prison conditions in El Salvador, particularly under the state of emergency that began in March 2022. She highlights issues such as overcrowding, ineffective treatment, torture, and lack of access to legal representation. Reports reveal alarming instances of abuse against both adults and children, calling for urgent scrutiny and intervention.
Juanita Goebertus, the Director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch, declares her observations regarding prison conditions in El Salvador, particularly in light of the J.G.G. v. Trump case. Holding advanced degrees in Law and Political Science, Ms. Goebertus has extensively studied human rights issues in El Salvador, including multiple visits since 2022.
The Salvadoran government has deported individuals under the 1789 Alien Enemies Act to the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), with an initial capacity announced for 20,000 that was later increased to 40,000. This overcapacity raises serious concerns about the authorities’ ability to ensure individualized treatment, potentially violating United Nations standards for prisoners.
In CECOT and other prisons, detainees face severe restrictions, including a prohibition on communication with their families and lawyers. Court appearances are typically conducted online with large groups, and detainees are labeled as “terrorists” with indications that they may never be released. Access for human rights organizations and journalists is heavily restricted by the government.
Although CECOT may have superior infrastructure compared to other prisons, reports suggest that abuses and mistreatment within are consistent with findings from other facilities in El Salvador. This includes allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and dangerously overcrowded conditions devoid of adequate healthcare and nutrition.
The appalling prison conditions are exacerbated by a state of emergency in El Salvador that has persisted since March 2022, leading to the detainment of approximately 85,000 individuals, representing 1.4% of the population. Human Rights Watch estimates that 109,000 individuals are currently incarcerated, while the official capacity is only 70,000. Reports indicate serious fatalities and health crises within the prison system, including over 350 deaths since the emergency declaration.
Human Rights Watch’s report titled “Your Child Does Not Exist Here” highlights the detainment of over 3,300 children, many of whom have no gang affiliations. Documented cases showcase the torture and degrading conditions endured by these minors, including extreme overcrowding and inadequate access to essential services. A new law permitting the transfer of young offenders to adult facilities further endangers their rights.
Interviews conducted for the aforementioned reports revealed harrowing accounts from former detainees. A construction worker described brutal treatment upon arrival at prison, including severe beatings and a lack of basic sleeping space. Another detainee recounted being subjected to humiliating treatment in a sweltering, overcrowded cell, with guards mercilessly abusing them during confinement.
Human Rights Watch and Cristosal’s findings documented numerous detainees with critical health conditions who received inadequate care. The unsanitary conditions in prisons have led to epidemic outbreaks of diseases and chronic ailments. Some detainees have died without their families being informed, and others did not receive necessary medication for their medical conditions, raising alarm about the violations of human rights principles.
Previous investigations by Human Rights Watch into the experiences of Salvadoran nationals deported from the United States reveal serious mistreatment. These accounts narrate instances of physical abuse during arrest and subsequent custodial violence, with severe injuries resulting from guard actions.
This comprehensive declaration aims to illuminate the grievous human rights conditions in Salvadoran prisons as it relates to the broader context of governance and societal upheaval under the state of emergency.
Overall, the conditions in El Salvador’s prisons depict a grave human rights crisis exacerbated by governmental policies and a prolonged state of emergency. Detainees, including vulnerable populations such as children, are subjected to severe mistreatment and inhumane conditions. The findings underscore a need for urgent international attention and action to address these violations and uphold fundamental human rights standards.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
