International Civil Society Organizations Denounce Dismissal of Salvadoran Justices, Attorney General

On May 6, 2021, nearly 100 humanitarian, human rights, immigrant-led, and faith-based organizations working on issues related to human rights in Latin America issued a statement denouncing the May 1st, 2021 decision by El Salvador’s legislature, promoted by President Nayib Bukele, to dismiss the nation’s Attorney General as well as all five Supreme Court justices belonging to the constitutional chamber.

Along with other signatories, WOLA stands “in solidarity with with civil society organizations and human rights activists in El Salvador
who are working to defend the human rights of all Salvadorans as well as with the independent journalists working to uncover and report the news. We urge the Salvadoran legislature and President Bukele to restore judicial independence, a cornerstone of the rule of law, and human rights protections—and not to further curb judicial authorities and oversight agencies, including the Human Rights Ombudsman’s office. We urge the Salvadoran government to respect the freedom of the press and the rights of human rights groups and other civil society organizations to carry out their vital work. We ask the international community to act decisively to press the Salvadoran government to return to the democratic path.”