GENEVA (22 January 2018) – United Nations Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard will visit El Salvador from 24 January to 5 February 2018 to identify and assess the main developments and challenges related to the protection of the right to life, and in  particular cases of arbitrary killings.  

“Twenty-six years have elapsed since the signing of the Peace Accords, yet many challenges persist, including those related to transitional justice and impunity, the endemic level of violence and insecurity involving non-State actors and State actors,” Ms. Callamard said. “I look forward to engaging with the Salvadoran Government on how to meet the challenges of addressing insecurity and impunity, upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability.“

In the course of the mission, Ms. Callamard will examine the State security strategy as well as abuses committed by non-State actors.  She will also investigate programmes designed to address and prevent the killings of women, members of the LGBTI community, migrants, journalists, and human rights defenders.

The Special Rapporteur, during her 12-day visit, which takes place at the invitation of the Government, will meet senior government officials, national human rights institution and representatives of UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and civil society.

Ms. Callamard will hold a press conference on 5 February 2018, to share her preliminary findings with the media. The place and time of the event will be communicated in due time. Access will be strictly limited to journalists. 

ENDS

Ms. Agnes Callamard (France), Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions,  has a distinguished career in human rights and humanitarian work globally. Ms. Callamard is the Director of Columbia Global Freedom of Expression at Columbia University and has previously worked with Article 19 and Amnesty International. She has advised multilateral organizations and governments around the world, has led human rights investigations in more than 30 countries, and has published extensively on human rights and related fields.

The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

UN Human Rights, Country Page: El Salvador

For more information and media requests, please contact: In Geneva, Vanessa Asensio (+41 229 17 9001 / vasensioperez@ohchr.org); in Central America, Carlos Augusto Rodriguez (+507 6671 3569 / crodriguez@ohchr.org)

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