Download a PDF of the statement here.

National and international organizations warn of dangers of transferring human rights defender Fidel Zavala to prison, urge respect for due process and his immediate release
Washington D.C. March 4, 2025 | As human rights, religious, and international solidarity organizations, we strongly condemn the arbitrary detention of Fidel Zavala, spokesperson for the Human and Community Rights Defense Unit (UNIDEHC) of El Salvador.

Since Tuesday, Salvadoran police have arrested at least 20 people in the Bukele government's most brazen attack to date on land defenders and human rights defenders. Among them is Fidel Zavala, spokesperson for the Community and Human Rights Defense Unit (UNIDEHC) who has gone public with his eyewitness testimony of torture in El Salvador's prisons. Police also raided UNIDEHC's office and the home of UNIDEHC lawyer Ivania Cruz, whom you may have heard speak during our webinars and virtual press conferences.

CISPES denounces the arrest of community leaders of the La Floresta Community in San Juan Opico organizing to defend their lands and community from eviction

Washington, DC | We call for the IMMEDIATE RELEASE of Medardo Arnoldo Rodriguez and Alejandra Jeannette Cañas, who were arrested on February 9, 2025. Mr. Rodriguez and Mrs. Cañas had recently been elected as leaders of the La Floresta community council in San Juan Opico, representing over one hundred families who have inhabited those lands for over fifteen years.

Santa Marta community also speaks out against arrest of former FMLN leader and key defense witness in trial of Santa Marta 5.

Read the full statement here

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