Source: Amnesty International –
A year on from the detention of Fidel Antonio Zavala Pérez, a member and spokesperson for the Unidad de Defensa de Derechos Humanos y Comunitarios (UNIDEHC), Amnesty International expresses its concern regarding his prolonged pre-trial detention and the abusive use of criminal law against defenders and community leaders to criminalize the defence of human rights in El Salvador.
“What we are witnessing in the case of UNIDEHC spokespersons is evidence of a worrying trend of unlawful use of criminal law against those working to defend the rights of communities,” said Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International. “When justice becomes a weapon for intimidation, the rule of law is undermined and a message of deterrence sent to those reporting abuses.”
When justice becomes a weapon for intimidation, the rule of law is undermined and a message of deterrence sent to those reporting abuses.”
Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International.