/ / Urgent Action: ACTIVIST AT RISK OF TORTURE

ACTIVIST AT RISK OF TORTURE

UA: Second 20.25 El Salvador

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Fidel Zavala, spokesperson for the Unidad De Defensa De Derechos Humanos Y Comunitarios (UNIDEHC), detained since February 2025, was transferred to Mariona prison on April 2, 2025. He is currently held by guards who he previously denounced for torture and other ill-treatment of people in detention, which puts his life and personal integrity at imminent risk. Zavala’s detention took place after a raid by authorities that included the search of UNIDEHC’s headquarters and the arrest of more than 20 community leaders. We urge the authorities to guarantee Fidel’s and all community leaders’ physical and psychological integrity and their right to a fair trial.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: June 7, 2025

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Mr. Nayib Bukele,

I am writing to express my deep concern about Fidel Zavala, spokesperson for the Unidad de Defensa de Derechos Humanos y Comunitarios (UNIDEHC), and his recent transfer to Mariona prison. His detention appears to be a direct act of retaliation for his work documenting and denouncing torture and other ill-treatment, deaths, and other abuses in prisons under the national state of emergency. Zavala’s testimony has been crucial in exposing these violations, raising serious concerns that his arrest is intended to silence his work and discourage further reporting of state abuses. His recent move to Mariona prison places his life and personal integrity at imminent risk, as he is currently held by guards who he previously denounced for torture and other ill-treatment of people in detention.

Given the gravity of this situation, I urge you to take immediate action to ensure the personal integrity and fair trial rights of Fidel Zavala and all individuals detained after the raid on UNIDHEC’s headquarters. I urge you to ensure that their detention conditions are humane and comply with international human rights law and standards, including the Nelson Mandela Rules. Furthermore, I ask that you move Zavala to another place of custody without guards he has previously denounced for torture and other ill-treatment and deaths in detention centers.

Finally, I strongly urge you to take all necessary measures to ensure that human rights defenders, community leaders, and civil society organizations can carry out their work without fear of reprisals. This includes ending the misuse of criminal law to persecute and criminalize the defense of human rights.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

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I urge @nayibbukele to take immediate action to ensure the personal integrity and fair trial rights of Fidel Zavala and all individuals detained after the raid on UNIDHEC’s headquarters

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President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele

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[email protected] @nayibbukele PresidenciaSV @nayibbukele

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CC: Embassy of El Salvador in the United States, Ambassador Carmen Milena Mayorga

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1400 16th Street NW Suite 100,

Washington DC 20036

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Other Urgent Actions for this Case

First UA Issued: [El Salvador 20.25]

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