ARENA Government Attacks Peaceful Protest in Suchitoto

Water rights protest in El Salvador (from CRIPDES website)

Water Rights and Human Rights at Issue 

     On July 2, fourteen members of the Association of Rural Communities for the Development of El Salvador (CRIPDES) were arrested on their way to a water rights protest in the community of Suchitoto.  They were tried before a Special Tribunal outside the bounds of normal due process, and thirteen are being held for 90 days pending charges of terrorism.  Here is the press release of the Center for Exchange and Solidarity, (CIS) on this attack against civil society:

 CENTRO DE INTERCAMBIO Y SOLIDARIDAD (CIS) 

DENOUNCES THE EXISTENCE OF: 

NON-INDEPENDENT TRIBUNALS IN EL SALVADOR, 

CHARGES OF TERRORISM AGAINST THE SOCIAL MOVEMENT WHICH PROTESTS AGAINST THE PRIVATIZATION OF WATER 

AND THE USE OF THE MILITARY TO REPRESS THE POPULATION 

San Salvador, July 9, 2007 - The C.I.S. (Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad) expresses its solidarity with colleagues arrested last Monday, July 2, in Suchitoto, for having demonstrated their opposition to the decentralization and privatization of water service. The C.I.S. considers that such action is a form of repression against freedom of speech and association of the Salvadoran people. 

Moreover, we express our disagreement with the formation of “Special Tribunals” which violate the Constitution, the independence of the judicial system and the bases of the 1992 Peace Accords to build a democratic society. It is worrisome that this type of action is being taken against the public which exercised its right to come out and speak against measures which will threaten its access to water, given that the same repressive measures were used in the past, and which lead to the civil war. 

This violation of the Right to Free Speech also violates the spirit of the Peace Accords, which marked a decisive step toward guaranteeing freedom of speech and of thought. These acts make very clear the position of the present presidential administration and Government Institutions which seek to destabilize, block or destroy the social movement, violating the right to Freedom of Association. 

The C.I.S. believes that the statements of the President of the Republic were irresponsible in that they spoke to the events of Suchitoto, linking the social movement against privatization of water to Mario Belloso (a former FMLN member charged with assassinating two police officers), offering absolutely no proof, making a connection which solely seeks to create an atmosphere of crisis in order to avoid manifestations of opposition to the Government. It is also curious to note the deployment of the police and Army units in Suchitoto, and the little media coverage and information about the events there, given that the same media were focused solely on the capture of Belloso, which served to divert attention. 

For the aforementioned reasons, the C.I.S.: 

1)Demands the immediate release of the 13 political prisoners, who are presently being detained! (On July 7 they were sentenced to 3 months of provisional detention, to further investigate the charges; they could receive up to 60 years in prison.) · Lorena Martínez – CRIPDES (Association of Rural Communities for the Development of El Salvador) · Rosa Valle – CRIPDES · Haydee Chicas – CRIPDES · Manuel A. Rodriguez – CRIPDES · Sandra Guatemala – Citadel Guillermo Ungo · Santos Mancía – Citadel Guillermo Ungo · José Ever Fuentes – Oratorio Community · Héctor Antonio Ventura – Community San Antonio · Patricio Valladares – Municipal Council of Soyapango · Clemente Guevara – Municipal Council of Soyapango · Yanira Méndez – Municipal Council of Soyapango · Vicente Vásquez – Municipal of Soyapango · Beatriz Nuila – Municipal Council of Soyapango · Facundo Garcia – Community Oratorio (on provisional release) 

2)Alerts the public so that there can be NO doubt about the acts of the present Government and its campaign against opposition movements. Calls on other organizations of the social movement to denounce this State Terrorism, given that its acts are not far from this concept, and the fear that is infecting the public regarding attacks on its right to freedom of speech only serve to demonstrate the Government's lack of interest in respecting Human Rights. Threatening to throw arrested persons from the helicopters that were transporting them is a serious violation of human rights and an unpleasant reminder of the grave violations during the civil war. 

3)Exhorts the new Ombudsman for the Defense of Human Rights, Oscar Humberto Luna, to use his good offices in this case. Asks that the President of the Republic, Elías Antonio Saca, that he make no further statements until the completion of the relevant judicial investigation, given that that would be disrespectful of the procedures established by the laws of the Republic, and violations of judicial independence. Recommends that the courts Not link all of the cases with acts of Terrorism, given that that would be a restriction on the rights and freedoms of the population. The Anti-Terrorism Law was designed solely to punish those who demand the respect for their Human Rights. Denounces the creation of “Special Tribunals”. The judicial system must maintain its independence and respect for the Constitution of the Republic. The Judicial System must demonstrate its neutrality regarding power groups, and maintain at the forefront the right of arrested persons to due process. Asks of civil society organizations and of the general public: prove to the Supreme Court, providing evidence of the unconstitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Law and the Law Against Organized Crime and Crimes of Complex Execution, in order that these laws may be set aside so that we may have a State which offers access to justice, freedom of expression and respect for Freedom of Association. 

4)Alerts the International Community and International Organizations and ask that they closely monitor this case in order that this country fulfills its formal obligations in matters of Human Rights. Denounces the use of the Army to repress the public for political reasons. The Peace Accords ended a period of 60 years marked by what has been called a military dictatorship, and we do not wish to return to authoritarianism or repression. 

5)States its opposition to the intention of the Government to proceed with the privatization of water and services for potable water and sewage, through a process of “decentralization of water”. Water is a public good, and access to it is an inalienable right of the people. 

6)Appeals for us to work together to build a democratic society! Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad July 9, 2007

7)Contact the Authorities: Presidente Elías Antonio Saca Tel. (++011-503)2248-9000 FAX: (++011-503)2243-7857; 2243-9930 

Charles L. Glazer, U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador Tel. (011-503)2501-2999 Fax: 2501-2154 

Oscar Humberto Luna, Ombudsman for the Defense of Human Rights Tel. ++ 503-2222-0011 Fax: ++503 - 2222-0655 

Lic. Felix Garrid Safie, Attorney General of the Republic of El Salvador Telephone: ++503-2231-8300 Fax: 503-2243-9930; 2243-7857 

*Send copies of all correspondence to CIS: Fax: ++011-503-2235-1330 or cis_elsalvador@yahoo.com 

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