Cristosal is the leading human rights organization, with a 25-year history working in El Salvador. In response, it recently announced its plans to shut down operations in the country due to increasing government repression of opposition voice. The advocacy organization has experienced some existential crises in recent months. The Salvadoran government has condemned it for playing the role of a political activist and not protecting the rights of its citizens.
Ruth Eleonora López, a fellow of Cristosal, was arrested by Salvadoran authorities almost two months ago. Now, the announcement comes in reaction to her plight. Cristosal had filed its registration with the Ministry of the Interior. So far, not a peep in return. Beyond that, if the organization fails to submit its first report by the deadline of September 4 imposed by the Foreign Agents Law, it will be penalized. Fines may be assessed at $100,000-250,000.
Noah Bullock, the Executive Director of Cristosal, didn’t mince words in calling for profound change during an early April press conference in Guatemala City. The Executive Director explained that the political and security climate in El Salvador today is forcing the organization’s hand.
“We are forced to choose between prison or exile.” – Noah Bullock
Bullock discussed the dangers that human rights organizations have experienced under President Nayib Bukele’s government. He pointed to the ongoing impeachment inquiries into the federal government. What they found was a pervasive culture of no transparency or accountability paired with extensive human rights abuses. The Foreign Agents Law further complicates matters for NGOs like Cristosal by granting authorities wide-ranging powers to control their operations and imposing a 30% tax on foreign-funded activities.
Abraham Ábrego, Cristosal’s litigation director, said that the effects of this law cannot be underestimated.
“The Foreign Agents Law allows authorities, at their discretion, to control any organization; it imposes a tax on organizations. Only the government will have the discretion to choose who to prosecute and who not to.” – Abraham Ábrego
With mounting threats and limited security guarantees following López’s criminalization, Bullock asserted that Cristosal could better serve its mission from outside El Salvador.
“With the threats we have received, with Ruth’s criminalization and with the limited possibilities of security guarantees, we are more useful (to the cause) by being outside but free, than by risking imprisonment in El Salvador.” – Noah Bullock
Even considering all these challenges, Bullock reported that Cristosal will continue its advocacy efforts from across the border in Guatemala and Honduras. He noted the group’s seriousness about its stand against human rights violations. Beyond this dedication would be their harsh, complicated, and at times dangerous reality on the ground in El Salvador.
