“We celebrate that Alejandro Henríquez and José Ángel Pérez are being released today after months of unjust detention. However, it is essential to point out that they should never have been deprived of their liberty or subjected to criminal proceedings for exercising their right to peaceful protest,” said Ana Piquer, Regional Director for the Americas at Amnesty International.
We celebrate that Alejandro Henríquez and José Ángel Pérez are being released today after months of unjust detention. However, it is essential to point out that they should never have been deprived of their liberty or subjected to criminal proceedings for exercising their right to peaceful protest
Ana Piquer, Regional Director for the Americas at Amnesty International
Several international protection mechanisms have pointed out that no state can use criminal law to punish or dissuade participation in peaceful demonstrations. Furthermore, the use of charges such as ‘aggressive resistance’ and ‘public disorder’ in these cases is incompatible with international standards on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The use of abbreviated proceedings, which requires acceptance of the charges in order to be released from prison, raises concerns regarding international standards of due process.
“Among this good news, we must not forget that other human rights defenders and dissident voices in El Salvador—such as Ruth López, Fidel Zavala, Enrique Anaya, among others—continue to be subjected to criminal proceedings and arbitrary deprivation of liberty solely for exercising their rights or for being perceived as critical of government policies. We urge the Salvadoran authorities to guarantee their freedom and order the immediate closure of proceedings against those detained only for exercising their rights. The Salvadoran State has an international obligation to protect, and not punish, those who defend human rights. No one should face criminalisation for peacefully raising their voice.
Among this good news, we must not forget that other human rights defenders and dissident voices in El Salvador—such as Ruth López, Fidel Zavala, Enrique Anaya, among others—continue to be subjected to criminal proceedings and arbitrary deprivation of liberty solely for exercising their rights or for being perceived as critical of government policies. We urge the Salvadoran authorities to guarantee their freedom.
Ana Piquer, Regional Director for the Americas at Amnesty International
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: press@amnesty.org
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