IRTF's solidarity with the people of Central America began in El Salvador 41 years ago. Salvadorans fought long and hard to build democracy and far too many paid for it with their lives.
Three decades since the end of the civil war, the struggle continues. Below we share an urgent action from our friends at CISPES (Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador), which echoes what we heard on August 5 in Cleveland from Leslie Schuld of the CIS (Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad).
Thank you for taking a couple of minutes to read this and for taking the click action.
(If you are authorized to sign on behalf of your organization, such as the social justice committee at your faith congregation, please click HERE. )
Click HERE to send a letter to El Salvador's attorney general, human rights ombudsman, and the magistrates of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice.
From CISPES:
It’s hard to believe it’s been over a year since the sudden and unlawful arrests of several high-profile FMLN leaders, like Dr. Violeta Menjívar, the former minister of health who championed universal healthcare and women's reproductive health.
Between April and November of last year, nearly 40 elected officials or cabinet members from the leftist opposition party were arrested or forced into exile though no evidence has been presented in any of the cases.
Just this past week, CISPES members in Los Angeles and allies took to the streets outside the Salvadoran consulate to demand an end to political persecution and militarization.
The family members of El Salvador’s political prisoners are counting on this kind of solidarity to bring visibility to their struggle.
That’s why CISPES is gathering international signatures on letters to be delivered later this month to the attorney general, the human rights ombudsman and the Constitutional Chamber magistrates. The letter, which will be presented during a press conference at the end of the month, echoes the demands of the Committee of Family Members of Political Prisoners (COFAPPES).
Click HERE to send a letter to El Salvador's attorney general, human rights ombudsman, and the magistrates of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice.
Over the past year, CISPES has been accompanying the Committee of Family Members of Political Prisoners of El Salvador (COFAPPES) in their courageous struggle to confront political persecution under the Bukele regime.
Many have not seen their family members in over a year, though through their tenacious organizing and constant protests finally managed to get doctors and lawyers in to see them.
Though COFAPPES has appealed repeatedly to Salvadoran authorities to fulfill their constitutional mandates and act impartially, Bukele’s consolidation of power over the justice system means their best hope is to increase the visibility of this crisis, including through international solidarity.
That’s why your voice is so important right now!
Violations of due process and other internationally-protected rights against Bukele’s political opponents have now been expanded to the population at large after constitutional rights were suspended on March 27. Under the nationwide State of Exception, nearly 50,000 people in El Salvador have been arrested without warrants and over 60 people have died in custody.
The Committee of Family Members of Political Prisoners of El Salvador (COFAPPES) held a press conference at the end of July to call for the release of political prisoners and an end to widespread persecution and human rights abuses. Let's show that international solidarity has their backs!
CISPES is circulating parallel letters to:
1) the Attorney General of the Republic, calling on him to stop arresting innocent people and political opponents and to fulfil his duties with impartiality.
2) the Human Rights Ombudsman, calling on him to be proactive in defense of the safety and well-being of Salvadoran citizens facing persecution and to inform the national and international community as to the true state of human rights in the country.
3) the magistrates of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, calling on them to uphold the law and justice, in accordance with the constitution.
Click here to read the full letter in Spanish or in English.
CISPES, 1525 Newton St NW, Washington DC 20010. (202) 521-2510. info@cispes.org
