El Salvador mass trials accused of violating due process

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a report documenting widespread due process violations within El Salvador’s mass trial system. The report reviews several indictments involving over 600 defendants and a court ruling affecting more than 120 people.

Defense lawyers interviewed for the report claim their clients are unable to adequately defend themselves due to vaguely defined charges, weak evidence, and faulty proceedings. In some instances, lawyers have reportedly been restricted from accessing case files or communicating privately with their clients. Juanita Goebertus, the Americas director at HRW, described the trials as a ‘mockery of justice’ designed to produce guilty verdicts rather than weigh evidence.

These mass trials are a component of President Nayib Bukele’s security crackdown against organized crime, which began with a state of emergency in March 2022. While the Salvadoran government maintains these measures are necessary to dismantle gangs, critics argue the tactics violate fundamental human rights.