El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele pitched housing “dangerous American criminals” as mutually beneficial, suggesting low costs for the U.S. while claiming it would enhance his country’s prison system. However, critics highlight the troubling human rights issues endemic to El Salvador’s prisons, where abuse by state forces is rampant. Recently, 250 deportees were flown from the U.S. under grim circumstances, shackled and bent over by armed guards, despite legal objections to their transfer.
Since 2019, Bukele has tightened his grip on power, disregarding democratic principles to maintain his authority. By declaring a “state of exception,” he has facilitated mass arrests based on appearance alone, resulting in the highest incarceration rate worldwide – a troubling statistic that reflects a decline in civil liberties and an increase in state violence against suspected gang members.
The narrative of El Salvador becoming the safest country in Latin America, championed by Bukele and local media, stands in stark contrast to citizens’ fears—now directed towards police and military as well as gangs. Those previously terrorised by MS-13 now struggle against a state that many believe perpetuates the cycle of violence and instability.
Under Bukele’s regime, prisons have turned into horror zones. Inmates face communication blackouts, severe overcrowding, and abusive treatment by guards. Instances of torture, starvation, and medical neglect have been reported, earning El Salvador disdain from human rights groups. Critics assert that the prison conditions are an affront to the UN Convention Against Torture, which the nation is a signatory to, reinforcing claims of systemic abuse.
El Salvador’s prison population has exploded to around 110,000 inmates, with facilities like the Terrorism Confinement Center unable to accommodate them properly. There are fears that deportees from the U.S. will be housed in these inhumane conditions, raising international law concerns regarding the legality of their transfer, especially considering the severe risks of torture and degrading treatment they face.
In summary, El Salvador under Bukele presents a grim reality for both its citizens and deportees from the U.S. The government’s repeated accusations of human rights violations highlight a desperate need for international attention and intervention regarding the treatment of detainees and the overall state of democracy in the country.
President Nayib Bukele’s policies have led to serious human rights violations in El Salvador’s prison system, where deportees from the U.S. face systemic abuse. Despite claims of safety, the reality depicts rampant state violence and deteriorating democratic norms. Conditions in prisons are dire, with widespread torture and neglect, raising legal concerns about the treatment of deported individuals.
The alarming situation in El Salvador underscores the urgent need for international oversight and intervention, particularly concerning the treatment of incarcerated individuals. The pervasive human rights abuses within the prison system, exacerbated by Bukele’s authoritarian governance, raise significant concerns for deportees and the future of democratic norms in the country. Human rights organisations continue to advocate against these violations, urging global attention to the plight of those affected.
Original Source: theconversation.com
