Cristosal, a prominent human rights organization in El Salvador, has announced the closure of its offices in the country and the relocation of its staff to neighboring nations, citing increasing threats and harassment from the police. This decision was made public by Noah Bullock, the organization's director, who emphasized the escalating danger facing employees targeted for their work addressing systemic abuses under President Nayib Bukele.
The organization has played a crucial role in documenting cases of torture and human rights violations, particularly stemming from a state of emergency established in 2022 aimed at combating gang activity. The closure of Cristosal has elicited strong responses from human rights advocates, including Juanita Goebertus from Human Rights Watch, who characterized it as a severe warning to activists, survivors, and the media regarding the repercussions of challenging corruption and advocating for human rights.
Recent events have further exemplified the perilous environment for dissenters in El Salvador. Ruth López, the anti-corruption director of Cristosal, has faced imprisonment since her arrest in May, a situation that has been echoed by the detention of another lawyer, Enrique Anaya, who criticized Bukele.
Bullock has recounted troubling developments, noting that Cristosal members had been followed and harassed by law enforcement officers, signaling a broader suppression of civil liberties. This wave of repression coincides with Bukele's administration strengthening ties with the United States, which has had a complex relationship concerning human rights; while previous administrations have raised concerns, the current Trump administration has largely remained quiet amidst the human rights crisis unfolding in El Salvador.
The organization has played a crucial role in documenting cases of torture and human rights violations, particularly stemming from a state of emergency established in 2022 aimed at combating gang activity. The closure of Cristosal has elicited strong responses from human rights advocates, including Juanita Goebertus from Human Rights Watch, who characterized it as a severe warning to activists, survivors, and the media regarding the repercussions of challenging corruption and advocating for human rights.
Recent events have further exemplified the perilous environment for dissenters in El Salvador. Ruth López, the anti-corruption director of Cristosal, has faced imprisonment since her arrest in May, a situation that has been echoed by the detention of another lawyer, Enrique Anaya, who criticized Bukele.
Bullock has recounted troubling developments, noting that Cristosal members had been followed and harassed by law enforcement officers, signaling a broader suppression of civil liberties. This wave of repression coincides with Bukele's administration strengthening ties with the United States, which has had a complex relationship concerning human rights; while previous administrations have raised concerns, the current Trump administration has largely remained quiet amidst the human rights crisis unfolding in El Salvador.
