# Judicial system and human rights concerns in El Salvador > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/judicial-system-and-human-rights-concerns-in-el-salvador > Updated: 2026-10-07T19:18:15.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Reports have emerged regarding systemic issues within the Salvadoran judicial system, ranging from the protection of high-ranking officials to the conduct of mass criminal proceedings. An investigation by Revista Factum and La Sala highlighted allegations of judicial protection for a magistrate, Jaime Eduardo Escalante, accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl. Critics noted that the Supreme Court of Justice opted to grant the magistrate a 60-day leave of absence rather than suspending him, a move seen as bypassing laws intended to address misconduct that endangers the administration of justice. Separately, Human Rights Watch documented widespread due process violations within the country’s mass trial system, a component of President Nayib Bukele’s security crackdown. Defense lawyers reported being unable to adequately defend clients due to weak evidence and restricted access to case files. Juanita Goebertus, the Americas director at HRW, characterized these proceedings as a ‘mockery of justice’ intended to produce guilty verdicts. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-07: El Salvador mass trials accused of violating due process Human Rights Watch reports that El Salvador’s mass trials, part of President Nayib Bukele’s security crackdown, violate due process and deny defendants the ability to adequately defend themselves. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-salvador-mass-trials-accused-of-violating-due-process ### 2026-09-17: El Salvador judicial system accused of protecting magistrate accused of child abuse An investigation reveals how El Salvador's judicial system and budget cuts have left girls vulnerable to abuse and systemic neglect, specifically citing the protection of a magistrate accused of sexual assault. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/el-salvador-judicial-system-accused-of-protecting-magistrate-accused-of-child-abuse --- Cite as: Judicial system and human rights concerns in El Salvador. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/judicial-system-and-human-rights-concerns-in-el-salvador