Journalist receives death threats

Expression

On 15th June 2018, Asociación de Periodistas de El Salvador (Journalists’ Association from El Salvador - APES) reported that journalist Warner Velásquez from El Salvador Times received death threats via Facebook messages. A profile of a person called Luis Franco requested the contact information of the former Mayor of San Salvador, Nayib Bukele, to the media outlet where Velásquez works. After failing to receive an answer, Franco started sending messages to the journalist threatening him. 

Peaceful Assembly

Citizens in El Salvador have been protesting against what they say is a proposal to privatize the water service in the country, which already led to clashes with police officers as previously reported by the Monitor. On 5th and 10th July, a new series of protests took place in the country’s capital with citizens marching to the National Assembly demanding changes in the proposed law to privatize water. No incidents  were reported during the latest protests.

On 2nd July, Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Mujeres Defensoras de Derechos Humanos reported that a judge from the city of Jiquilisco undermined their right to protest during the trial of Imelda Cortez Palacios who is accused of attempted aggravated homicide after she had birth complications. In reaction to the organisation of a protest by a group of national CSOs during Palacio's trial, the judge asked the National Police to secure the perimeter around the courthouse to avoid any demonstration. At least a dozen of women are currently imprisoned in El Salvador after suffering a miscarriage or a stillbirth under the country's strict abortion legislation.

A group of Nicaraguans held a protest in San Salvador on 19th July during the 39th anniversary of the Sandinist Revolution, to denounce the brutal repression in Nicaragua that left more than 300 people killed. Once again, no incidents of repression were reported. 

Association

On 13th August 2018, the Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Mujeres Defensoras de Derechos Humanos reported that land defender Dina Yaseni Puente, was murdered in the community of Jujutla. The details and circumstances of Puente's murder are still unknown but the organisation stated that "there are indications that it could be related to her activism".