Children Left Without Parents Under El Salvador Emergency Decree

El Salvador’s State of Emergency Enters Fourth Year, Families Express Concerns Over Mass Arrests of Children

A church courtyard in El Rosario, El Salvador, is where 16-year-old Sarita sits with her grandmother, Sara de Perez. The girl wears a medallion around her neck, a symbol of protection for Catholics and a reminder of her father, who was arrested two years ago and remains in detention. De Perez gifted the necklace to her granddaughter when her son was taken away.

As El Salvador’s state of emergency turns four years old, families are speaking out about the impact on children. The government declared the emergency on March 27, 2022, to combat gang violence. Since then, over 90,000 people have been detained as part of the emergency measures. Advocacy group Movement for the Victims of the State of Exception (MOVIR) estimates that up to 60,000 children have lost parental support.

The group’s founder, Samuel Ramirez, notes that mass arrests have led to a significant number of children being left without one or both parents. Some families have other relatives or friends to care for them, while others face no such support. The psychological toll on these children is substantial, with some experiencing anxiety and depression.

According to MOVIR estimates, as many as 100,000 children may be affected by the state of emergency. The organization’s data suggests that up to 8,000 people have been released from detention since November 2024. However, Ramirez warns that the state of emergency will continue to punish its citizens unless it is lifted.

The government has credited the state of emergency with reducing crime rates, including a 98% decline in homicides over the past nine years. However, critics argue that this progress comes at the cost of human rights and due process. The president’s administration has authorized mass trials of up to 900 people, and some individuals have been detained without access to legal representation or information about their arrest.

The state of emergency is set to enter its fifth consecutive year on Friday. As families continue to express concerns over the impact on children, advocates are calling for an end to the emergency measures and a return to normalcy.

Source: Al Jazeera