This declaration by Juanita Goebertus, Director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch, details the alarming prison conditions in El Salvador, particularly for detainees held at the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT). It highlights severe human rights violations including incommunicado detention, torture, and overcrowding under a state of emergency that has led to a significant rise in the prison population and reported deaths. Goebertus’s account underscores the urgent need for international attention and intervention.
Juanita Goebertus, Director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch, has provided a declaration regarding the situation in El Salvador, particularly in relation to prison conditions for detainees. Under the 1789 Alien Enemies Act, individuals sent to the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT) in Tecoluca face significant human rights violations, including lack of individualized treatment and communication with relatives and legal representatives. The prison, initially designed for 20,000 individuals, has expanded to a reported capacity of 40,000, raising concerns about compliance with UN standards.
Detainees at CECOT and other prisons endure severe restrictions on communication, facing limited access to courts through online hearings and grouped appearances. Furthermore, the government has labeled these individuals as “terrorists,” asserting that they “will never leave.” There is no record of releases from this facility, and access for human rights groups is heavily restricted, with only select visits permitted under controlled settings. Reports indicate that detainees are confined to their cells for 23.5 hours daily, with some subjected to prolonged solitary confinement.
Though CECOT may feature modern technology, mistreatment patterns mirror those documented elsewhere in Salvadoran prisons, including Izalco and La Esperanza. Human Rights Watch has identified instances of torture, inhumane conditions, and violations of due process, exacerbated by inadequate healthcare and sustenance. The context of these abuses relates to a prevailing state of emergency that has abolished constitutional due process, leading to the detention of approximately 85,000 individuals since March 2022, amounting to about 1.4% of the national population.
Authorities deny the total number of detainees and prison capacity; however, estimates suggest about 109,000 people are imprisoned against an official capacity of 70,000. Since the state of emergency, over 350 reported deaths in custody have raised alarm among human rights advocates. An alarming report also highlighted over 3,300 children detained under this regime, with documented cases of torture and degradation, as well as legislative actions that compromise juvenile justice standards.
Interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch with released detainees revealed brutal treatment, including physical abuse and deplorable living conditions. Instances of overcrowding, unhygienic circumstances, and forced submission to humiliating interrogation tactics were reported. These individuals recounted harrowing experiences, from beatings by guards to being subjected to extreme overcrowding, where detainees had to sleep on the floor in appalling conditions.
Evidence gathered illustrates extensive health issues within the prison population, including chronic illnesses exacerbated by neglect and unsanitary conditions. Documented deaths of detainees often point to systemic failures in medical care, with numerous cases showing signs of abuse or neglect that led to fatal outcomes. The Independent Forensic Expert Group, which analyzed evidence from certain deaths, described the findings as “suspicious” due to observable trauma potentially indicating torture before death.
Prior investigations by Human Rights Watch, such as the report titled “Deported to Danger,” have identified the abuse faced by Salvadorans deported from the United States. Personal accounts described extreme physical violence from authorities during arrest and custody, resulting in severe injuries that required extensive medical treatment afterwards.
This declaration is issued to outline the dire conditions within El Salvador’s prison system, emphasizing the critical need for international oversight and intervention to uphold human rights.
In conclusion, the prison conditions in El Salvador, particularly under the state of emergency, are characterized by severe human rights violations, including torture, overcrowding, and insufficient healthcare. The systemic issues documented by Human Rights Watch emphasize a pattern of abuse that has been exacerbated by governmental policies and practices. A comprehensive understanding of this situation is essential for advocating for the rights of detainees and implementing necessary reforms to ensure humane treatment in accordance with international standards.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
