El Salvador’s Congress has passed legislation allowing group trials for the massive number of people arrested during President Nayib Bukele’s crackdown on criminal gangs. The country’s strict approach has resulted in one of the world’s highest incarceration rates. With the new legislation, prosecutors can now simultaneously try hundreds of individuals believed to be part of the same criminal group or from the same area within El Salvador.
The state of emergency in El Salvador has been in effect for 16 months, leading to the arrest of over 71,900 alleged gang members. While around 6,000 individuals have been released, human rights groups have raised concerns about possible abuses during the crackdown, including torture, deaths in custody, and arbitrary detentions, especially affecting young men in poorer neighborhoods.
Supporters of the state of emergency argue that it has contributed to a significant decrease in homicides and crimes like extortion and drug dealing. However, opposition politicians and rights organizations worry that group trials could undermine due process and the presumption of innocence for individual detainees.
Those in favor of the new legislation claim that it aims to improve efficiency and order in the judicial system. The bill was passed by 67 votes in favor and six against, with legislators stating that detainees without gang affiliations should be released.
Additionally, legislators approved another bill that increases the maximum sentence for gang leaders from 45 to 60 years.
