The Human Rights Institute of the Central American University (Idhuca) has documented 569 human rights violations in El Salvador in 2025, according to a report released this week, raising renewed concerns about the country’s security policies under its prolonged state of emergency. The findings, which detail 645 alleged victims, point to arbitrary detentions as the most frequently reported violation.
Idhuca’s report attributes the majority of the documented cases to the National Civil Police and the Armed Forces, identifying them as the institutions most often named in complaints. The organization stated that more than half of the reported incidents occurred after the implementation of the state of emergency in 2022, a measure that suspended several constitutional guarantees, including the right to defense. The report concludes that a recurring pattern of detention accompanied by multiple alleged rights violations has become entrenched within state custody procedures.
According to the data published by Idhuca, the majority of those affected are young men. The report records 577 male victims, 67 female victims, and one transgender woman among those identified. It also states that 73% of victims are between the ages of 18 and 35, a demographic concentration the organization says highlights the disproportionate impact on young people.
The report further notes that 582 individuals reported having been denied basic judicial safeguards or adequate access to legal defense during their detention. These allegations form part of broader concerns raised by rights groups regarding due process protections under the emergency framework, which has significantly expanded the powers of security institutions.
Idhuca also warns that the State bears primary responsibility for the alleged abuses described in its findings, adding that the 2025 figures contribute to a broader cumulative record of more than 6,400 complaints since the beginning of the state of emergency. The organization also cites reports from various non-governmental groups indicating that more than 500 people have died while in state custody during the same period.
The report highlights what it describes as a continued erosion of fundamental rights in the country, particularly affecting historically vulnerable populations. It states that the concentration of power under the emergency regime, combined with restrictions on access to public information, has contributed to worsening conditions for those detained.
Idhuca’s findings also reflect broader concerns about the long-term institutional impact of the state of emergency, which has been repeatedly extended since its introduction in 2022. The organization warns that the patterns documented in its latest report indicate deepening structural risks for human rights protections in El Salvador.
The report situates its findings within ongoing debates about the country’s security strategy, noting that the emergency measures were introduced to combat organized crime but have also coincided with increased allegations of abuse. The data presented underscores continuing scrutiny from civil society groups over the balance between security enforcement and constitutional rights in El Salvador.
