The country's president has been cracking down on street gangs that have extorted money from businesses and ruled many neighbourhoods of the capital, San Salvador, for the past nine months.
The mass round-ups have been condemned by rights activists, who say young men are often arrested based on their appearance, age or where they live in a gang-dominated slum.
The right of association, the right to be informed of the reason for an arrest and access to a lawyer are suspended under the decree. The government can also intervene in the calls or mail of anyone considered a suspect.The government of El Salvador sent 10,000 soldiers and police to seal off SoyapangoEl Salvador's gangs have been estimated to count some 70,000 members in their ranks and have long controlled swaths of territory and extorted and killed with impunity.
But earlier this month, Mr Bukele's crackdown reached another level when his government sent inmates into cemeteries to destroy the tombs of gang members at a time of year when families typically visit their loved ones' graves. Some several thousand human rights violations and at least 80 deaths in custody have been counted so far during the crackdown by nongovernmental organisations.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
El Salvador sends 10,000 troops to seal off gang-run suburbThe government of El Salvador has sent 10,000 soldiers and police to seal off a town in a hunt for gang members. Troops have blocked roads going in and out of Soyapango and are stopping people to check their documents.
Read more »
Teen girl, 18, dead & 4 hurt in horror crash as man, 20, arrestedA TEENAGE girl has died in a horror crash that also injured four others. A red Ford Fiesta crashed at the Old Gate Inn roundabout near Canterbury, Kent in the early hours of Saturday morning. Polic…
Read more »
El Salvador sends 10,000 troops to seal off gang-run suburbThe government of El Salvador has sent 10,000 soldiers and police to seal off a town in a hunt for gang members. Troops have blocked roads going in and out of Soyapango and are stopping people to check their documents.
Read more »