In El Salvador, human rights defenders are being increasingly harassed and persecuted under the rule of President Nayib Bukele. Among them are prisoners of conscience Ruth López, Alejandro Henríquez, and José Ángel Pérez.
Ruth is a lawyer well-known for fighting corruption. In May, she was arrested and later charged with illicit enrichment, but Amnesty International is aware of no evidence that she was involved in such a crime. José Ángel is a pastor and community leader, and Alejandro is a lawyer and environmental defender. Both were arrested for peacefully protesting the forced eviction of a community of 300 families. Amnesty has joined local human rights organizations in raising the alarm about the risks that human rights defenders face under the authoritarian practices of President Bukele. The Salvadoran authorities must release all prisoners of conscience and must stop persecuting those who peacefully exercise their right to free speech.