/ / Urgent Action: REPRESSION AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS [El Salvador 20.25]

REPRESSION AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS [El Salvador 20.25]

UA: 20.25 El Salvador

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On February 25, 2025, Fidel Zavala, spokesperson for the Unidad De Defensa De Derechos Humanos Y Comunitarios (UNIDEHC), was arbitrarily detained by Salvadoran authorities in a raid that included the search of UNIDEHC’s headquarters, the home of lawyer Ivania Cruz—Director of the organization—and the arrest of more than 20 community leaders from La Floresta. Zavala’s detention is particularly concerning, as he has been both a witness to and a denouncer of torture in penitentiary centers. We urge the authorities to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Fidel Zavala and all detainees and to ensure they receive a fair trial with full due process guarantees.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: May 6, 2025

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Step 1

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Remember to send your letter by May 6, 2025.

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Sample Letter

Mr. Nayib Bukele,

I am writing to express my deep concern over the detention of Fidel Zavala, spokesperson for the Unidad de Defensa de Derechos Humanos y Comunitarios (UNIDEHC), as well as the raid on the organization’s offices and the home of its director, lawyer Ivania Cruz. UNIDEHC has played a key role in exposing serious human rights violations, particularly those linked to the state of emergency. These events are alarming, as they appear to be part of a broader strategy to criminalize human rights defenders in the country.

According to available information, these actions took place shortly after UNIDEHC supported a complaint before the Procuraduría para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos regarding the detention of community leaders from La Floresta, who have been fighting against the forced eviction from their lands. Following this complaint, at least 20 more individuals from this community have reportedly been detained.

Given the gravity of this situation, I urge you to take immediate action to ensure the physical integrity and due process rights of Fidel Zavala and all individuals detained in connection with the La Floresta case. It is imperative that they are not subjected to inhumane detention conditions or violations of their right to defense.

Furthermore, 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 legitimate defense of human rights.

Sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Sample Social Post

On February 25, Fidel Zavala, spokesperson for UNIDEHC, was arrested in an operation that included raids and the arrest of more than 20 community leaders. We demand an end to these actions and respect for due process. @nayibbukele

Tweet to @nayibbukele

Step 2

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Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele

No postal address for this international target, direct postal mail to the embassy

[email protected] @nayibbukele @PresidenciaSV @nayibbukele

and

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

1400 16th Street NW Suite 100,

Washington DC 20036

[email protected]

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