SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – A regional human rights body implored El Salvador’s government on Thursday to reverse a year-long suspension of constitutional rights that form part of a sweeping anti-gang crackdown enacted last year and credited with sharply reducing violent crime.
In a statement, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), part of the Washington-based Organization of American States, called on President Nayib Bukele and his allies in Congress to restore rights put on hold by the so-called state of exception.
The emergency powers allow police to swiftly arrest and jail suspected gang members while suspending their right to a lawyer and court approval of preliminary detention.
The policy, repeatedly extended by lawmakers allied to Bukele, also allows for warrant-less access to suspects’ communications as well as extended pre-trial detention.
“IACHR calls on the government of El Salvador to restore…
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