In a clarion call for justice, over 170 organisations from 23 countries have urged the Inter-American Human Rights Commission to intervene on behalf of Fidel Zavala, a prominent Salvadoran human rights defender. Following his recent arrest, these groups advocate for Zavala’s immediate release, fearing for his safety should he be imprisoned while awaiting trial. Zavala has bravely reported on abuses within Salvadoran prisons, which previously led to legal action against prison officials.
Zavala was arrested on February 25, 2025, alongside two community leaders from La Floresta, just after he sought recourse against the arbitrary detention of community board members. Charges against them include being part of an “illicit group,” a serious accusation that has been historically exploited against numerous people under a declared State of Exception, leading to widespread arrests without warrants.
The injustices escalate as police also raided UNIDEHC offices and the homes of its attorneys. This troubling pattern illustrates a broader crackdown on human rights defenders in El Salvador, stifling community organisation and freedom of association. Reports indicate growing concerns over torture and neglect in the prison system, as the government intensifies its oppressive measures and evades accountability.
Vicki Gass of the Latin America Working Group highlights the danger faced by Zavala, stating that the Commission’s previous investigations reflect ongoing violence in Salvadoran prisons. She calls for urgent protective measures, underscoring Zavala’s vulnerability due to his denunciations of state-sanctioned abuses.
José Luis Fuentes from the National Lawyers Guild reiterated that these are indeed bleak times for human rights defenders. He vehemently condemned the ongoing harassment faced by individuals like Zavala, which jeopardises their safety. Fuentes calls for international solidarity against these flagrant violations.
From abroad, theimientos extend similar sentiments, condemning Zavala’s arrest, fearing for his life amidst the prison conditions he has publicly condemned. Activists echo this sentiment, expressing the urgent need for immediate release and support for those defending fundamental human rights within a system increasingly characterised by oppression.
As activists from the 70s and 80s reflect on histories of state violence, they draw parallels to today’s injustices in El Salvador. Their clarion call urges respect for peace accords, as they highlight the critical need to protect human rights advocates like Zavala, who stand against an increasingly authoritarian regime.
Over 170 organisations have called on the Inter-American Human Rights Commission to protect Salvadoran defender Fidel Zavala following his arrest. Concerns over his safety and the broader implications for community rights are rising amid accusations of criminalising organisation. This incident reflects a worrying trend of state oppression against human rights defenders in El Salvador, amidst reports of prison abuses and harsh governmental measures against dissent.
The arrest of Fidel Zavala has ignited a wave of international condemnation, with over 170 organisations rallying for his release and protection. Concerns over his safety and the broader implications for community organising in El Salvador highlight the urgent need for vigilance against governmental oppression. As activists unite, it is critical to secure the safety of human rights defenders and uphold the principles of justice and accountability in El Salvador.
Original Source: cejil.org
