EL SALVADOR: HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER REMAINS IN PROLONGED PRE-TRIAL DETENTION

Dear General Attorney,

I am concerned about the continued pre-trial detention of human rights defender Fidel Zavala, spokesperson for the organization UNIDEHC, who has been detained since February 25, 2025 in connection with his support for the La Floresta community. On September 11, 2026, the investigation phase in the La Floresta case was extended until August 25, 2027. If Fidel remains detained until then, he will have spent approximately two and a half years in pretrial detention without conviction. Pre-trial detention must remain an exceptional measure, and its necessity and proportionality must be regularly reviewed, so this prolongation raises concerns.

I am also concerned about Fidel’s safety in detention. He previously denounced torture and other abuses in El Salvador’s prison system, and Amnesty International has already raised concerns about the risk of reprisals against him. Authorities must ensure that he is not held or transferred to a place where these previous complaints could put his physical or psychological integrity at risk.

The proceedings have also affected other UNIDEHC members and leaders of the La Floresta community, raising broader concerns about the use of the criminal justice system against people engaged in legitimate human rights work.

I urge the Salvadoran authorities to ensure an immediate, individualized, and periodic review of Fidel Zavala’s pre-trial detention and consider alternatives to detention; guarantee his physical and psychological integrity and that he is not exposed to reprisals; and ensure that all criminal proceedings against UNIDEHC members and La Floresta community leaders fully respect due process and are not used to obstruct or punish legitimate human rights work.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]