El Salvador has detained a well-known human rights lawyer, raising serious alarms about the country’s shrinking democratic space under President Nayib Bukele’s administration. The lawyer, who has long been a vocal critic of Bukele’s government and an advocate for victims of police abuse, was arrested over the weekend on charges of “undermining national security.”
The lawyer’s identity has not yet been officially disclosed by authorities.
Observers and international human rights groups view the charges as part of a growing pattern where the government uses national security laws to suppress dissent and silence critics.
The arrest is the latest in a series of actions that many fear signal a continued erosion of civil liberties in the Central American nation.
Background: A Lawyer Fighting for Justice
The detained lawyer had become a prominent figure defending individuals who alleged abuse by security forces, particularly under the state of emergency that President Bukele imposed in 2022.
This emergency decree, aimed at combating rampant gang violence, has granted the government sweeping powers, including the suspension of key constitutional rights such as access to legal counsel and limits on detention times.
Under this state of emergency, El Salvador has witnessed mass arrests, with over 75,000 people incarcerated in Bukele’s crackdown on gangs.
While this approach has been credited domestically with a significant reduction in homicide rates, it has also drawn heavy criticism for sweeping up innocent people and politically motivated arrests.
The lawyer had notably represented families and youths who were allegedly wrongfully imprisoned, including those with no gang affiliations.
They had also spoken out against the construction of Bukele’s new “mega-prison,” intended to detain tens of thousands of suspected gang members. Such activism appears to have placed them squarely in the government’s crosshairs.
Bukele’s Tightening Grip on Power
President Nayib Bukele’s leadership style has been characterized by a strongman approach, appealing to citizens frustrated by years of gang violence and insecurity. His government’s mass incarceration campaign is seen by many Salvadorans as a necessary step to restore public safety.
However, human rights experts and opposition figures argue that Bukele’s administration is increasingly authoritarian.
Since May 2021, when the Bukele-controlled legislature removed the country’s Constitutional Court judges and the attorney general—moves widely condemned as undermining judicial independence—the government has continued to consolidate power.
This has led to growing concerns over the erosion of democratic institutions in El Salvador.
The recent arrest reflects this pattern. Critics contend the government is using the legal system as a tool to intimidate and eliminate voices that challenge Bukele’s narrative of success in tackling crime.
“This is not about justice; it’s about fear and control,” said a spokesperson from El Salvador’s Human Rights Institute, highlighting the broader implications for civil society and democratic governance.
International Outcry and Legal Concerns
The lawyer is reportedly being held without formal charges, under provisions of the emergency decree that allow for detention without standard legal protections. Legal experts have condemned the arrest as unconstitutional and a violation of international human rights norms.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued a statement urging the Salvadoran government to respect international law and immediately release the detained lawyer.
The commission highlighted the importance of protecting human rights defenders, who play a crucial role in holding governments accountable.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, two leading global human rights organizations, have also condemned the detention.
Both groups have repeatedly warned about El Salvador’s deteriorating human rights record and the alarming trend of targeting activists, journalists, and legal professionals critical of Bukele’s policies.
The United Nations echoed these concerns. Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, stated, “El Salvador must not criminalize human rights advocacy. Legal systems must serve justice, not power.”
Lawlor emphasized that governments should protect those who work to ensure justice and uphold human rights, not prosecute them under vague and broad national security charges.
The Decline of Civil Liberties in El Salvador
Under Bukele’s state of emergency, traditional checks and balances have significantly weakened. The executive branch now wields extraordinary authority, and the judiciary’s independence has been called into question repeatedly.
Journalists, union leaders, and civil rights activists report increasing surveillance, intimidation, and harassment.
Local NGOs and advocacy groups have documented dozens of similar detentions over the past year, where individuals critical of the government have been arrested without due process.
“The government is targeting anyone who threatens the narrative of absolute success,” said the Salvadoran Center for Legal Studies, underscoring how dissenting voices are being systematically silenced.
This crackdown comes amid Bukele’s expansive campaign against gang violence, which while reducing crime rates, has led to serious human rights violations. Extrajudicial detentions, police abuses, and overcrowded prisons are frequent reports from human rights organizations monitoring the situation.
Public Support and International Pressure
Despite the growing international criticism, Bukele remains popular among many Salvadorans. His tough stance on gangs resonates with a public that has long suffered from insecurity. The dramatic drop in homicides is often cited as proof of the administration’s effectiveness.
However, the rising international pressure and condemnation from human rights bodies put Bukele’s government under scrutiny.
The question remains whether the administration will reconsider its aggressive tactics in favor of preserving democratic norms and civil liberties—or continue doubling down on an iron-fisted approach.
The detention of this prominent human rights lawyer symbolizes a broader crisis for democracy in El Salvador, where national security concerns are being used to justify the suppression of fundamental rights.
As the situation develops, global observers are closely watching whether the country can balance security needs with respect for justice and human rights.
For ongoing updates and comprehensive analysis of El Salvador’s human rights situation, visit Human Rights Watch – El Salvador.
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