Human Rights in El Salvador: A Community Forum and Fundraiser for Human Rights in El Salvador

The Chicago Religious Leadership Network (CRLN) and Centro Romero invite you to a special event that combines learning, solidarity, and action. Join us on Thursday, November 21, at 6:00 PM, at El Pueblo Unido Gallery at Centro Romero, 6212 N. Clark Street, for a community forum and fundraiser to support the critical work of Socorro Jurídico Humanitario, community Non-Profit in El Salvador advocating for victims of state repression under President Nayib Bukele’s State of Exception.

A Growing Crisis in El Salvador
Under Bukele’s regime, El Salvador has experienced grave human rights violations that have raised concern internationally.

Since March 2022, over 70,000 people have been arbitrarily detained under El Salvador’s Estado de Excepción (State of Emergency), according to human rights organizations. Aimed at combating gang violence, it has resulted in widespread human rights abuses, including torture, overcrowded prisons, prolonged detention without trial, death and forced disappearances, according to Amnesty International. As of February 2024, Amnesty documented approximately 78,000 detentions, highlighting the urgent need for international solidarity and action.

In addition to these abuses, Bukele’s government has taken steps to dismantle democratic institutions in El Salvador. In May 2021, the Legislative Assembly, dominated by Bukele’s allies, removed constitutional court judges and the attorney general, actions that effectively crippled the judicial system’s ability to act independently. Critics from international organizations like Amnesty International and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) have condemned these moves as an attack on the rule of law and a shift toward authoritarianism.

These actions have set the stage for further violations of basic freedoms, as the separation of powers and the checks and balances that are critical to a functioning democracy have been severely undermined. Furthermore, press freedom and civil society have been severely curtailed under Bukele’s rule. Journalists and human rights organizations face harassment, surveillance, and even criminal charges for their work. Bukele has been accused of using legal measures and threats to silence dissent, undermining the media’s ability to operate freely. In 2020, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that journalists in El Salvador were facing increasing threats from the government, which has waged a campaign to discredit the press and stifle critical voices. Bukele’s administration continues to foster an environment where journalism is criminalized, and independent reporting is at risk of being silenced.

These violations paint a troubling picture of the disregards for fundamental human rights and freedoms. As the Bukele regime consolidates power, international human rights organizations continue to call for increased scrutiny and accountability for the systematic repression of El Salvador’s citizens.

This forum aims to shed light on these issues and support the work of Socorro Jurídico Humanitario, which advocates for those unjustly impacted by these policies. The organization stands as a lifeline, providing legal assistance, psychological support, and material aid to detainees and their families. This event will raise funds to sustain their work and amplify their efforts to defend human rights.

About the Event
This community forum will feature presentations from Ingrid Escobar and Oscar Rosales Meléndez, two human rights defenders from El Salvador who are actively addressing the injustices of the State of Exception. Through their stories and firsthand accounts, we will explore the impacts of mass detentions and the ongoing struggle for justice in El Salvador.

The evening will include:

• A presentation by Ingrid and Oscar on the human rights crisis.

• A discussion on how international solidarity can support those affected.

• An opportunity to contribute directly to the lifesaving work of Socorro Jurídico Humanitario.

About the Speakers
Ingrid Escobar is the Director of Socorro Jurídico Humanitario and a lifelong human rights advocate. She has been on the frontlines of labor and human rights defense in El Salvador, dedicating her career to protecting vulnerable populations.

Oscar Rosales Meléndez, a lawyer and humanitarian, has decades of experience supporting displaced and marginalized communities. He is deeply committed to providing legal and material support to those affected by state repression.

All funds raised during this event will go directly to Socorro Jurídico Humanitario to sustain their critical efforts, which include:

• Legal defense for detainees and their families.

• Psychological care for victims of trauma.

• Financial aid, food, and medical support for affected families.

The human rights community in Chicago, a city with its own rich history of social justice movements understands the power of solidarity. The people from the diaspora of El Salvador have been an important part of the Chicago community, let us show our solidarity.

Join us for this important conversation.

Event Details
🗓️ Date: Thursday, November 21
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Location: El Pueblo Unido Gallery at Centro Romero, 6212 N. Clark Street