United Nations experts have accused El Salvador of improperly using the Interpol system for political purposes by targeting two exiled human rights workers, Ivania Cruz and Rudy Joya. The experts stated that the Interpol red notices and underlying charges against the pair, who now reside in Spain, seemed baseless and directly related to their legitimate work with the organization UNIDEHC. They emphasized that Interpol's constitution forbids it from activities of a political nature.
The situation stems from a state of emergency in El Salvador, initially declared to combat gang violence but repeatedly extended. UNIDEHC has documented human rights abuses under this emergency framework, including supporting the La Floresta community against forced evictions. The organization itself has faced government pressure, with its offices and the home of Ivania Cruz being searched.
The UN experts called on Interpol to revoke the red notices immediately and urged Spain to ensure the safety of Cruz and Joya by refusing their forcible return to El Salvador. They also noted that Salvadoran authorities have a pattern of misusing the justice system to silence critics.
The situation stems from a state of emergency in El Salvador, initially declared to combat gang violence but repeatedly extended. UNIDEHC has documented human rights abuses under this emergency framework, including supporting the La Floresta community against forced evictions. The organization itself has faced government pressure, with its offices and the home of Ivania Cruz being searched.
The UN experts called on Interpol to revoke the red notices immediately and urged Spain to ensure the safety of Cruz and Joya by refusing their forcible return to El Salvador. They also noted that Salvadoran authorities have a pattern of misusing the justice system to silence critics.
