Ruth López: One Year Unjustly Imprisoned
She stood up for justice. We stand with her.
Ruth López has been unjustly detained and held without trial in El Salvador for one year.
You can help by raising your voice, sharing her story, and calling for her release
What Happened?
On May 18, 2025, police entered Ruth López’s home late at night without a warrant and detained her. She was held incommunicado for more than 30 hours, without access to her lawyer or her family. She remains in prison without trial.
Authorities have changed the charges against her twice, first accusing her of embezzlement, then of illicit enrichment, without presenting new or credible evidence. Her detention has been marked by secrecy, denial of due process, and disregard for her health and well-being.
Despite these conditions, Ruth’s courage and integrity have been recognized around the world.
She has been named a Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has called on the Salvadoran government to end her isolation and justify her detention.
Ruth has also received multiple international honors recognizing her leadership and courage, including:
- Included in the BBC list of the 100 most influential and inspiring women in the world in 2024.
- The American Bar Association’s 2025 International Human Rights Award
- The Award for the Right to Defend Rights, presented by the Embassy of France and the Mesa por el Derecho a Defender Derechos
- The Magnitsky Human Rights Award from the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign / Hermitage Foundation
- The Anti-Crime & Corruption Hero Award from OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project), presented in Amsterdam
- The 2026 Sir Henry Brooke Award from the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk
These recognitions reflect what is clear to the international community:
Ruth López is a principled defender of human rights and the rule of law.
What This Means
Ruth’s detention is not an isolated case. It reflects a broader pattern of repression against those who speak with moral clarity and defend the dignity of others. She has been targeted not for wrongdoing, but for her commitment to truth and justice, for accompanying victims, confronting corruption, and refusing to remain silent in the face of abuse.
Her case is also part of a larger and deeply troubling story. In March 2025, an agreement between the Trump administration and President Bukele led to the disappearance of 252 Venezuelans and Salvadorans, who were transferred to El Salvador’s CECOT prison without due process or legal representation. Ruth was one of the few lawyers willing to challenge this injustice, filing more than 100 habeas corpus petitions on behalf of families seeking basic accountability and the right to know the whereabouts of their loved ones. Shortly thereafter, she herself was detained.
Learn More & Take Action Here
Speak Her Name
Share Ruth’s story in your community, on social media, in conversations, and in the spaces you are part of. Help ensure she is not forgotten.
Contact Decision-Makers
On May 18, 2026, as Ruth López marks one year unjustly imprisoned, we ask you to act, call and email your elected officials, speak her name, and raise your voice.
Mobilize Your Community
Bring others into this effort and help grow collective pressure:
- Share her story in gatherings or events
- Amplify campaign content across your platforms
- Tag leaders, institutions, and media
