2nd Year of State of Exception

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Dear LAWGista,

March 27, 2024 marked 2 years since President Bukele declared a state of emergency in El Salvador. Most recently, the legislative assembly controlled by Bukele’s party, Nuevas Ideas, passed the 24th consecutive one-month extension of the state of emergency.

In the two years under the state of emergency, we have seen countless human rights violations, increased militarization, the construction of a mega jail, and Bukele’s unconstitutional presidential reelection. This draconian measure is unsustainable and has greater consequences.

Over 78,000 people have been imprisoned on gang-related charges, including children as young as 12. Thousands have been arbitrarily detained, some just on the basis of having tattoos, wearing the wrong cap, or just living in a poor neighborhood. Additionally, over 230 people have died in custody.

Ask your members of Congress to contact the State Department and urge our government to press President Bukele to restore rights. El Salvador needs a more balanced approach to address the serious problem of gang violence, including listening to civil society groups on the ground, thorough investigations and prosecutions, prevention, and rehabilitation programs. Call and tell your representative and senators to speak out!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Please call your representatives and senators to urge them to register their concerns about the erosion of rights in El Salvador.

Take these simple steps:

Call your representative. Find your representative here.

“My name is [YOUR NAME], and I’m a constituent from [YOUR CITY OR AREA]. I am calling to urge [REPRESENTATIVE/SENATOR] to speak out against what is happening in El Salvador. El Salvador has been under a state of emergency for nearly two years during which time there have been countless human rights violations, with massive arbitrary detentions, 78,000 people including children detained, and people dying in prison for lack of access to health care. Please urge the State Department to ask President Bukele to restore rights and end this inhumane policy. Thank you for considering my concerns.