In a declaration concerning prison conditions in El Salvador, Juanita Goebertus, Director of the Americas Division at Human Rights Watch, emphasises the alarming state of human rights under the country’s strict policies. CECOT, a prison in Tecoluca, was designed to hold 20,000 detainees but has since expanded to accommodate a staggering 40,000, raising serious concerns about adequate treatment for inmates. Human Rights Watch has expressed fears that overcrowding violates international standards on prisoner treatment.
Inmates at CECOT and other facilities face inhumane conditions, including restrictions on communication with family and lawyers, often attending court hearings virtually in large groups. Characterised by the government as “terrorists,” detainees in CECOT are subjected to extreme measures, including solitary confinement and limited exercise time. Access to prisons has been tightly controlled, with Human Rights Watch witnessing severe overcrowding and conditions where prisoners are kept in darkness for extensive periods.
Despite some advancements in technology at CECOT, conditions for detainees resemble those at other prisons in El Salvador. Documented abuses include torture, inadequate healthcare, and insufficient food—a direct violation against humane treatment standards. Under the ongoing state of emergency, initiated in March 2022, the government has detained approximately 85,000 individuals, equating to about 1.4% of the population.
Disturbingly, over 350 deaths have been reported in prisons since the emergency began. Additionally, vulnerable groups, predominantly children, face similar fates with alarming frequency. A recent report highlighted the suffering of over 3,300 detained minors, with many lacking any ties to gang activities. Reports of torture and deprivation paint a grim picture of children subjected to inappropriate incarceration alongside adult prisoners.
Human Rights Watch has conducted interviews revealing horrifying testimonies from former detainees detailing physical violence and appalling living conditions. One anecdote involves a young construction worker describing severe beatings and overcrowded cells that left inmates in dire circumstances. Another detainee recounted dehumanising treatment during transport and interrogations, a clear indication of the systemic brutality prevalent in the prison system.
As part of their ongoing investigations, Human Rights Watch continues to uncover evidence of significant health risks in prisons, where conditions lend themselves to disease outbreaks. The alarming rate of detainee mortality, often enveloped in secrecy surrounding their deaths, raises questions about accountability and the treatment of those in state custody. This urgent situation calls for immediate attention to the cruel realities faced by detainees in El Salvador, revealing a stark violation of human rights and dignity.
Juanita Goebertus of Human Rights Watch highlights dire prison conditions in El Salvador, particularly at CECOT, which faces severe overcrowding. Detainees are subjected to inhumane treatment including torture and restricted communication. Thousands of minors have also been imprisoned without links to crime. There’s an urgent call for accountability and reform amidst widespread health crises and reported deaths in custody.
El Salvador’s prison system currently faces severe human rights violations, as detailed by Human Rights Watch. The alarming conditions, including overcrowding and lack of medical care, raise urgent ethical concerns regarding detainee treatment. With reports of torture and child abuse emerging, there lies an urgent need for intervention and accountability from both national and international bodies. The shocking testimonies paint a vivid picture of systemic cruelty that demands action to ensure the protection of human rights.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
