[mobglob-discuss] Canada must condemn reactivation of paramilitary death squads in El Salvador

[Alan Ward]

October 14, 2003
 
Dear Mr. Prime Minister
We are writing this letter to draw your attention to the deteriorating
conditions that are developing in El Salvador in the run-up to that
country's presidential elections to be held in March of 2004.
As you may be aware, in recent months the citizens of El Salvador waged a
successful fight to save public health care. As well there has been a
resurgence of support for the FMLN (Farabundo Marti Front for National
Liberation), which has seen numerous FMLN candidates win municipal and
national seats in government.
Unfortunately, in recent weeks threats have been made against the lives of
social activists who waged the fight against the privatization of health
care, and also against FMLN candidates and incumbents. Salvadoreños in
Canada and in El Salvador see in these threats, the reactivation of the
paramilitary death squads that ravaged the country in 1980s and were
responsible for the deaths of thousands.
As well, since mid-July of 2003 human rights observers and volunteers from
Switzerland, Canada, Germany and the United States have been detained and
denied entry into El Salvador by the current Salvadorian government. In
addition, the offices of NGOs and other progressive organizations within El
Salvador have been raided by police. These actions by the Salvadorian
government appear to be designed to ensure that the presidential elections
in March 2004 be conducted without international observers and in a climate
hostile to the democratic process.
Considering the lamentable history of human rights abuses in El Salvador, we
ask that the Federal Government of Canada instruct the Foreign Affairs
Office to protest to the Salvadorian government, the denial of entry to and
harassment of, Canadian human rights workers, and also its inaction in
ensuring the safety of opposition forces and social activists working within
the democratic electoral processes.
We also ask that our representative to the United Nations raise this issue
in that assembly, and request that the United Nations demand observer status
in the 2004 Salvadorian elections and that they take steps to protect the
lives of FMLN members, of people in office for the opposition, and of union
and community leaders in general.
Thank you.
 
Yours truly
for the Vancouver-Kingsway Provincial NDP Constituency Association

Alicia Barsallo        Sylvia Dodd        Andrew Adler        Carmen Daly
604-879-3246        604-255-6776     604-224-1249        604-264-7310


 
cc: Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs
      Denis Paradis, Secretary of State, Latin America and Africa
      Alex Neve, Secretary General, Amnesty International, Canada
 

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