Cristosal Testifies on the State of Exception to US Congress
Cristosal’s Executive Director, Noah Bullock, testified yesterday before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in a critical hearing on the state of exception in El Salvador. Joined by Ana Maria Mendez Dardon from the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Leonor Arteaga from the Due Process of Law Foundation, and Juan Papier from Human Rights Watch, he shared Cristosal’s concerns regarding ongoing human rights violations and provided recommendations to US policymakers.
The Bukele administration first declared the state of exception–which suspends certain constitutional rights–in March 2022 as part of a crackdown on gang violence. What was supposed to be a temporary measure has been renewed 33 times and has resulted in the detention of over 80,000 people in El Salvador. Since its inception, Cristosal has monitored human rights violations occurring under the state of exception and in July released a report following an extensive study into patterns of abuse perpetrated by the state under this security policy. (Read more here.)
Key Concerns
“People who were victims of gangs now find themselves as victims of abuses of power under the state of exception,” said Noah in his testimony.
He provided a detailed account of the human rights abuses that have unfolded under the state of exception. He highlighted Cristosal’s findings, which include widespread arbitrary detentions, violence against vulnerable populations, and an alarming number of deaths in custody. These actions, he argued, not only violate the fundamental rights of Salvadorans but also represent a disturbing trend toward authoritarianism in the country.
He also raised concerns over the closing of civil space and increased persecution of organizations like Cristosal. He denounced the rising surveillance of journalists and activists, specifically the raiding of the homes of a journalist and graphic designer who work closely with Cristosal. He argued that the state of exception in El Salvador, “has created a generalized environment of intimidation and fear.”
The other experts shared similar concerns. Ana Maria Mendez Dardon, Director of WOLA’s Central America program, emphasized the breakdown of the rule of law and the cooption of the justice system under the state of exception, which has eroded the rights of Salvadoran citizens. She also denounced how changes in the justice system have stalled cases of transitional justice, many of which Cristosal works on. (Read more about our transitional justice program here.) Leonor Arriega called for international accountability mechanisms in El Salvador, arguing that violations occurring under the state of exception need to be investigated through international criminal law.
Importance of International Advocacy
Representative McGovern closed the hearing and said, “I think all of us believe very strongly that we want El Salvador to succeed and that goes to the point that Mr. Bullock made which is that you can have security for the population to protect them from criminal gangs and you can also respect the rights of every individual in that country.”
Cristosal continues to speak out in international advocacy spaces, collaborating with policymakers to promote human rights. As an organization rooted in the region, our unique perspective allows us to amplify the struggles of marginalized populations, ensuring their voices are heard on the global stage.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to human rights in El Salvador and will continue to monitor the situation, document abuses, and press for an end to the state of exception. Through ongoing international advocacy, we aim to hold the Salvadoran government accountable and restore the rule of law.
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Watch the full hearing here.