The human rights organization Cristosal is renewing pressure on the Salvadoran government over its treatment of anti-corruption lawyer Ruth Eleonora López, marking one year since an international body called for her protection while she remains in custody.
According to Cristosal, it has now been a full year since the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)—a body of the Organization of American States that investigates human rights abuses across the Americas—issued what are known as precautionary measures on López’s behalf. These emergency protective orders are typically granted when the commission believes someone’s life or physical safety is in immediate danger.
Despite that international directive, Cristosal says Salvadoran authorities have refused to reconsider or review the conditions of López’s detention. The group’s statement suggests that the government has effectively disregarded the commission’s findings, leaving López without the safeguards the international body determined she urgently needed.
López, known for her anti-corruption work, has become a symbol for advocates concerned about the treatment of government critics and civil society figures under El Salvador’s current administration, which has drawn scrutiny from international rights organizations over due-process concerns tied to its broader security crackdown.
Cristosal has not detailed what further steps it plans to take, but the anniversary statement signals the organization intends to keep spotlighting the case. For the full details from Cristosal and El Diario de Hoy, read the original report.
Source: Cristosal: Estado de El Salvador se niega a revisar detención de Ruth Eleonora López (El Diario de Hoy).
Image: Rosa Menkman, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).