El Salvador

El Salvador – officially the Republic of El Salvador – is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. Between 1980-1992, the military-led government and left-wing guerillas waged a civil war that resulted in the deaths or disappearances of at least 75,000 citizens.[ref]Amelia Hoover Green and Patrick Ball, “Civilian killings and disappearances during civil war in El Salvador (1980–1992)”, Demographic Research , July – December 2019, Vol. 41 (July – December 2019), pp. 781-814, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26850667 [/ref] The effects of the civil war are felt to this day, leaving behind a legacy of impunity[ref]El Salvador”, The Center for Justice and Accountability, accessed 13 December 2024, https://cja.org/where-we-work/el-salvador/ [/ref] and gang violence.[ref]“El Salvador’s bitter civil-war legacy”, Al Jazeera, 15 January 2012, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/1/15/el-salvadors-bitter-civil-war-legacy [/ref]

Reforms prompted by the assumption of the presidency of President Bukele and the supermajority of his Nuevas Ideas government in 2019 have sparked concern among the international community that the political landscape is moving back towards authoritarianism less than 30 years after emerging from dictatorship.[ref]Nelson Renteria, “El Salvador to present constitutional reform plan this weekend”, Reuters, 26 August 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/el-salvador-present-constitutional-reform-plan-this-weekend-2021-08-26/; “El Salvador: New Laws Threaten Judicial Independence”, Human Rights Watch, 2 September 2021, https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/09/02/el-salvador-new-laws-threaten-judicial-independence; “Salvadoran Re-Election Ruling Undermines Democracy”, U.S. Embassy San Salvador, 5 September 2021, https://sv.usembassy.gov/salvadoran-re-election-ruling-undermines-democracy/; Marco Pérez Navarrete, “Autocracy in El Salvador?”, Open Democracy, 11 May 2020, https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/democraciaabierta/autocracy-el-salvador/[/ref] The declaration of a state of emergency in March 2022 remains in force at the time of writing and has led to significant democratic backsliding, and the removal of checks and balances.[ref]“El Salvador: Congreso aprueba la 32da prórroga del régimen de excepción para combatir las pandillas”, AP News, 6 November 2024, https://apnews.com/article/el-salvador-pandillas-a7ce7341085b503ed3f7649c7e6b036f; “Prórroga del régimen de excepción”, Asamblea Legislativa, accessed 17 December 2024, https://asamblea.gob.sv/taxonomy/term/2501; Ana María Méndez Dardón and Geoff Thale, “Régimen de excepción en El Salvador: de una medida de seguridad a una política de estado”, WOLA, 4 December 2024, https://www.wola.org/es/analisis/regimen-de-excepcion-el-salvador-medida-seguridad-politica-estado/; “IACHR Issues Report on State of Emergency and Human Rights in El Salvador,” IACHR, 4 September 2024, https://www.oas.org/en/iachr/jsForm/File=/en/iachr/media_center/preleases/2024/207.asp [/ref] Bukele was re-elected for a second term in February 2024 – despite constitutional provisions prohibiting consecutive terms in office – in a landslide victory with 84% of the votes.[ref]“El Salvador country profile”, BBC, last updated 9 July 2024, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-19401932 [/ref]

Given the current political context, the extent to which the law is upheld in practice is unclear.

In the midst of a cultural transformation, the distribution of religious affiliations in El Salvador has changed significantly in recent years. According to a recent survey by LPG Datos, 38% of Salvadorans identify as Catholic, 38% as Evangelical, and 20% as non-religious.[ref] LPG Datos, “Grey católica y evangélica están igualadas en El Salvador,” La Prensa Gráfica, April 4, 2023. Available at: https://www.laprensagrafica.com/lpgdatos/Grey-catolica-y-evangelica-estan-igualadas-en-El-Salvador-20230403-0091.html [/ref] Historically a predominantly Catholic nation, this shift reflects a notable decrease in the number of Catholics, and an increase in Evangelicals and people without religious affiliation. This trend is particularly pronounced among people under 36, where Evangelicals are now the majority.[ref]Gabriel López Delgadillo, “La diversidad religiosa en El Salvador,” El Independiente, May 25-31, 2023. Available at https://www.elindependiente.sv/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/EL-INDEPENDIENTE.-Edicion-1072.-25-31-mayo-2023.-La-dictadura-del-like.pdf [/ref]

Research from the Forum for Reflection on Salvadoran Reality (FORES) also shows that religion remains a fundamental pillar in Salvadoran culture, although it is experiencing significant challenges and evolutions due to increasing religious diversity and global social changes.[ref] Israel Adonay López Choto, Gerardo Rafael Vásquez Moreno, Natalia Marisol Girón Salinas, “Cambio cultural en El Salvador 2018-2023,” Foro de Reflexión sobre la Realidad Salvadoreña (FORES), Revista Con-Secuencias, No. 7, January-April 2024, https://revistas.ues.edu.sv/index.php/rcs/article/download/2938/3068/7268[/ref]

Constitution and government Education and children’s rights Family, community, society, religious courts and tribunals Freedom of expression advocacy of humanist values
The dominant influence of religion in public life undermines the right to equality and/or non-discrimination
‘Blasphemy’ is outlawed or criticism of religion (including de facto ‘blasphemy’ laws) is restricted and punishable with a prison sentence
There is systematic religious privilege
State-funding of religious institutions or salaries, or discriminatory tax exemptions
Expression of core humanist principles on democracy, freedom or human rights is somewhat restricted
Official symbolic deference to religion
No formal discrimination in education
Constitution and government
There is systematic religious privilege
State-funding of religious institutions or salaries, or discriminatory tax exemptions
Official symbolic deference to religion
Education and children’s rights
No formal discrimination in education
Family, community, society, religious courts and tribunals
The dominant influence of religion in public life undermines the right to equality and/or non-discrimination
Freedom of expression advocacy of humanist values
‘Blasphemy’ is outlawed or criticism of religion (including de facto ‘blasphemy’ laws) is restricted and punishable with a prison sentence
Expression of core humanist principles on democracy, freedom or human rights is somewhat restricted
The state is secular, with separation of religious and political authorities, not discriminating against any religion or belief
Insufficient information or detail not included in this report

Countries: no countries relate to this boundary condition

Religious or ideological instruction is mandatory in all or most state-funded schools with no secular or humanist alternative
Insufficient information or detail not included in this report

Countries: Angola, South Sudan, Tuvalu

Religious courts or tribunals rule directly on some family or ‘moral’ matters; it is legally an opt-in system, but the possibility of social coercion is very clear
Insufficient information or detail not included in this report
No fundamental restrictions on freedom of expression or advocacy of humanist values
Insufficient information or detail not included in this report

Countries: no countries relate to this boundary condition

No condition holds in this strand

Countries: Lesotho, Uzbekistan

No condition holds in this strand

Countries: Andorra

No condition holds in this strand
No condition holds in this strand

Countries: no countries relate to this boundary condition

Localised or infrequent but recurring and widespread social marginalisation or prejudice against the non-religious

This condition is unusual in that it is applied in cases where there is some social discrimination, but it is not pervasive or nationwide. This condition is applied when there is sufficient background evidence to warrant the assertion that discrimination is not anomalous but widespread, and this condition may be applied for example even where if there is no legislative discrimination or where the non-religious may have legal recourse against such discrimination. However, societal discrimination (i.e. discrimination by peers, as opposed to state or legal discrimination) is not easily measured, and for this reason the Report does not currently have similar more severe boundary conditions to capture higher levels of social discrimination per se. In principle these may be introduced in future. However, we consider that countries with actual higher levels of social discrimination against the non-religious will generally already meet other higher level (more severe) boundary conditions under this thematic strand.

Countries: Albania, Botswana, Greece, United States of America

The dominant influence of religion in public life undermines the right to equality and/or non-discrimination

Applied when the influence of religion on public life undermines others’ rights, such as SRHR, women’s rights, LGBTI+ rights.

May be applied when the influence is overt (i.e. when religious laws are applied to undermine others’ rights) or covert (i.e. where religious pressure groups exert influence to affect policy)

Countries: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brunei Darussalam, Burundi, Chile, Congo, Democratic Republic of, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Liberia, Lithuania, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, Zambia

Use of Conscientious Objection clauses resulting in the denial of lawful services to women and LGBTI+ people
Complete tyranny precludes all freedoms of expression and thought, religion or belief

Applied when overriding acts of oppression by the State are extreme, to the extent that the question of freedom of thought and expression is almost redundant, because all human rights and freedoms are quashed by authorities.

Countries: Afghanistan, North Korea

The non-religious are barred from some government offices (including posts reserved for particular religions or sects)
There is a nominal state church with few privileges or progress is being made toward disestablishment

Countries: Bulgaria, Norway, Peru, Rwanda

Religious or ideological indoctrination is utterly pervasive in schools
Expression of non-religious views is severely persecuted, or is rendered almost impossible by severe social stigma, or is highly likely to be met with hatred or violence
The non-religious are persecuted socially or there are prohibitive social taboos against atheism, humanism or secularism
There is significant social marginalisation of the non-religious or stigma associated with expressing atheism, humanism or secularism
Expression of core Humanist principles on democracy, freedom and human rights is brutally repressed
Religious authorities have supreme authority over the state

Countries: Iran

State legislation is partly derived from religious law or by religious authorities
Preferential treatment is given to a religion or religion in general

This condition is applied where there are miscellaneous indicators that organs of the state offer various forms of support for a religion, or to religion in general over non-religious worldviews, suggesting a preference for those beliefs, or that the organs of that religion are privileged.

Countries: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belize, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Montenegro, Mozambique, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zimbabwe

Religious or ideological instruction in a significant number of schools is of a coercive fundamentalist or extremist variety

This condition highlights countries where schools subject children to fundamentalist religious instruction with no real opportunity to question fundamentalist tenets, or where lessons routinely encourage hatred (for example religious or ethnic hatred). The wording “significant number of schools” is not given a rigid quantification (sometimes the worst-offending schools are unregistered, illegal, or otherwise uncounted); however the condition is not applied in cases where only a small number of schools meet the description and may be anomalous, as opposed to being indicative of a widespread problem.

Countries: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia

State-funded schools provide religious education which may be nominally comprehensive but is substantively biased or borderline confessional
There is a pattern of impunity or collusion in violence by non-state actors against the non-religious
Some religious courts rule in civil or family matters on a coercive or discriminatory basis
‘Apostasy’ or conversion from a specific religion is outlawed and punishable by death
‘Apostasy’ is outlawed and punishable with a prison sentence

Countries: Bahrain, Comoros, Jordan, Kuwait

State legislation is largely or entirely derived from religious law or by religious authorities
Anomalous discrimination by local or provincial authorities, or overseas territories
Religious or ideological instruction is mandatory in at least some public schools (without secular or humanist alternatives)
Government figures or state agencies openly marginalize, harass, or incite hatred or violence against the non-religious
Government authorities push a socially conservative, religiously or ideologically inspired agenda, without regard to the rights of those with progressive views
‘Blasphemy’ or criticism of religion is outlawed and punishable by death
Quasi-divine veneration of a ruling elite is enforced, or a single-party regime holds uncontested power, subject to severe punishment
Legal or constitutional provisions exclude non-religious views from freedom of religion or belief
It is illegal to register an explicitly Humanist, atheist, secularist or other non-religious NGO or other human rights organization, or such groups are persecuted by authorities
Prohibitive interreligious social control (including interreligious marriage bans)
It is illegal to advocate secularism or church-state separation, or such advocacy is suppressed
The non-religious are barred from holding government office
There is a religious tax or tithing which is compulsory, or which is state-administered and discriminates by precluding non-religious groups
It is illegal or unrecognised to identify as an atheist or as non-religious
Some concerns about children's right to specifically freedom of religion or belief

This condition may apply if specifically religious education, religious materials, or specific religious denominations are so tightly controlled that children are in fact over-protected from exposure to religion and are likely unable to explore or construct their own worldview in accordance with their evolving capacities. This condition helps us to classify states (perhaps with secular constitutions) which have criminalized specifically religious beliefs or practices. This condition is not applied if the restricted beliefs or practices are found to be outlawed due to their being of an extremist variety. While this condition does not directly reflect discrimination against non-religious persons or non-religious ideas, it does represent an overall threat to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief; such restrictions could spill over to affect non-religious beliefs later; and they pose a risk of backlash against over-zealous secular authorities or even against non-religious individuals by association.

Countries: China, Congo, Democratic Republic of, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guyana, Italy, Kazakhstan, Laos, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, North Macedonia, Romania, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe

It is made difficult to register or operate an explicitly Humanist, atheist, secularist or other non-religious NGO or other human rights organization
Legend
 
Severe Discrimination
Systemic Discrimination
Mostly Satisfactory
Free and Equal
More information about rating table

Constitution and government

Democratic backsliding

In May 2024, the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly – dominated by President Nayib Bukele’s Nuevas Ideas party – approved an amendment to Article 248 of the Constitution. This amendment introduced a mechanism for expedited constitutional reforms, which has the potential to permit significant changes to be made with less public debate and scrutiny.[ref]Wilfredo Miranda Aburto, “Los diputados de Bukele aprueban por sorpresa un mecanismo de reforma constitucional exprés en El Salvador”, El País, 1 May 2024, https://elpais.com/america/2024-05-01/los-diputados-de-bukele-aprueban-por-sorpresa-un-mecanismo-de-reforma-constitucional-expres-en-el-salvador.html; “El Salvador: Constitución “a la carta” podría profundizar la crisis de derechos humanos en los próximos años”, Amnesty International, 3 May 2024, https://www.amnesty.org/es/latest/news/2024/05/el-salvador-constitucion-carta-podria-profundizar-crisis-derechos-humanos-proximos-anos/ [/ref]

The reform has been criticized by human rights groups who perceive it as a way to consolidate power and limit public participation in significant legislative changes. Over the past three years, the super-majority of the ruling party in the Legislative Assembly has been pivotal in eroding judicial independence, weakening accountability mechanisms, and systematically violating due process guarantees​.[ref]“El Salvador: Constitución “a la carta” podría profundizar la crisis de derechos humanos en los próximos años”, Amnesty International, 3 May 2024, https://www.amnesty.org/es/latest/news/2024/05/el-salvador-constitucion-carta-podria-profundizar-crisis-derechos-humanos-proximos-anos/ ; “El Salvador” chapter in World Report 2024 (Human Rights Watch, 2024), https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/el-salvador [/ref]

Legal framework

The Constitution[ref]Asamblea Legislativa, Constitucion, 20 December 1983, https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/171117_072857074_archivo_documento_legislativo.pdf (in Spanish); https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/El_Salvador_2014.pdf?lang=en (in English)[/ref] and other laws and policies guarantee freedom of religion or belief, as well as freedom of expression (Article 6), freedom of assembly, and freedom of association (Article 7).

The Constitution states that all persons are equal before the law and prohibits discrimination based on nationality, race, gender, or religion (Article 3).

Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees:

“The free exercise of all religions, without limitation other than those based on morality or public order.”[ref]Unofficial translation of Art. 25.- Se garantiza el libre ejercicio de todas las religiones, sin más límite que el trazado por la moral y el orden público. Ningún acto religioso servirá para establecer el estado civil de las personas.[/ref]

The Constitution states members of the clergy may not occupy the positions of President, cabinet ministers, vice ministers, Supreme Court justices, judges, governors, attorney general, public defender, and other senior government positions (Article 82). Further the same article prohibits members of the clergy from conducting any form of political propaganda.

The final clause of Article 7 of the Constitution prohibits the existence of armed groups of a political, religious or unionised nature.

Official symbolic deference to religion

The concept of a deity is present in national symbols, including the preamble to the Constitution, and the State’s motto “God, Union, Freedom”.[ref] “Símbolos Patrios”, Presidencia de la Republica de El Salvador, (accessed 7 January 2025), https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/simbolos-patrios/ [/ref] The second Sunday of December is designated as the National Day of the Bible.[ref]Asamblea General, “DECRETO No. 1082”, 5 December 2002,
https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/171117_073336436_archivo_documento_legislativo.pdf; Mario Vega, “Diciembre, el Mes de la Biblia”, El Salvador, 21 December 2018, https://historico.elsalvador.com/historico/551547/diciembre-el-mes-de-la-biblia-2.html[/ref] The 23rd November is observed as the National Day of Prayer.[ref]Mario Gonzalez, “Este sabado sera el Dia Nacional de Oracion”, elsalvador.com, 20 November 2024, https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/conmemoraciones-cristianismo-/1183012/2024/ [/ref]

In July 2021, the legislative assembly passed an amendment to the Law on Patriotic Symbols[ref]Asamblea Legislativa, “Decreto No. 115”, 14 September 1972,
https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/171117_072904667_archivo_documento_legislativo.pdf
[/ref] to include the phrase “Placing our faith in God” (“Puesta Nuestra Fe en Dios”). The amendment ensures that the phrase may now be placed on the walls of State buildings and rooms.[ref]Unofficial translation of: “La presencia de Dios es algo personal, no existe la intención de obligar a nadie a creer porque vivimos en un país libre (…) Es dejar huella entre los diputados que ahora representamos esta legislatura” in Azucena Henríquez, “Diputados aprueban que frase “Puesta nuestra fe en Dios” sea incluida como símbolo patrio”, La Prensa Grafica, 21 July 2021, https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Diputados-aprueban-que-frase-Puesta-nuestra-fe-en-Dios-sea-incluida-como-simbolo-patrio–20210721-0015.html; Asamblea Legislativa, “Decreto No. 101”, 20 July 2021, https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/CF3F8C7C-06FB-4F8D-8930-295D935760EC.pdf [/ref]

In response to criticism, a minister reportedly explained that “[t]he presence of God is something personal, there is no intention of forcing anyone to believe because we live in a free country [..] It is to leave a mark among the deputies who now represent this legislature.”

Since assuming the presidency in 2019, Bukele has repeatedly resorted to religious rhetoric, quoting directly from the Bible. He has regularly encouraged prayer, and used his powers of presidential decree to designate national days of prayer.[ref]“Nayib Bukele decreta la fecha del 10 de agosto como Día Nacional de Oración”, Diario La Huella, 10 August 2020, https://diariolahuella.com/nayib-bukele-decreta-la-fecha-del-10-de-agosto-como-dia-nacional-de-oracion/; “Plegaria colectiva: Bukele decreta “día nacional de oración” en El Salvador ante la tormenta Iota”, Prensa Libre, 17 November 2020, https://www.prensalibre.com/internacional/unamonos-en-oracion-bukele-decreta-dia-nacional-de-oracion-en-el-salvador-ante-la-tormenta-iota/
Luciano Peiteado, “Nayib Bukele: ‘He aceptado a Cristo en mi corazon,” El Corriente, 16 February 2023, https://lacorriente.com/nayib-bukele-he-aceptado-a-cristo-en-mi-corazon/ [/ref]

Upon his re-election in February 2024, Bukele attributed the improvements in security to God “who wanted to cure our country”. Reflecting on his own statements, he said,

“I can see the headlines now, ‘Bukele mentions God, but the State should be secular’. They [international critics] even want to make us atheist. We respect all religions, we respect atheists, agnostics. We respect them, and we are friends, but let us believe in God if we want to. Let us give Him the glory if we want to.”[ref]“Ya veo los titulares “Bukele menciona Dios y el país debe ser laico”. Es que hasta eso nos quieren imponer que seamos ateos. Nosotros respetamos a todos las religiones, respetamos a los ateos, a los agnósticos, los respetamos y somos sus amigos pero déjennos creer en Dios. Y déjennos dale la gloria si así lo queremos ¿En que les molesta? ¿En que les afecta? Ah, tal vez les afecta el ejemplo porque tal vez la población de sus países a las que les han metido el ateísmo empiecen también o vuelvan a creer en Dios.” “EN VIVO: Nayib Bukele habla frente al Palacio Nacional en El Salvador”, Univision 24 Los Angeles, Facebook, 5 February 2024, 15:58 – 16:47[/ref]

Religious privileges and exemptions

The Constitution grants special and official recognition to the Catholic Church (Article 26). The same article permits all religious groups – other than the Catholic Church – to apply for legal recognition.

Non-Catholic religious groups may register as a foundation with the Ministry of the Interior.[ref]“Preguntas frecuentes – Registro de Asociaciones y Fundaciones Sin Fines de Lucro”, Ministerio de Gobernacion, (accessed 7 January 2025), https://www.gobernacion.gob.sv/preguntas-frecuentes/#:~:text=%C2%BFD%C3%B3nde%20se%20encuentra%20el%20Registro,Centro%20de%20Gobierno%2C%20San%20Salvador; El Salvador: Código Civil. Aprobado en 1859. Incluye reformas de 2022, 23 Agosto 1859, https://www.refworld.org/es/leg/legis/pejec/1859/es/132138 [accessed 7 January 2025][/ref] Religious groups that choose to register with the authorities benefit from tax-exemptions. Regulations also make donations to officially recognized religious groups tax-deductible.[ref] “El Salvador” chapter in 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom (U.S. Department of State, 2024), https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/el-salvador/ [/ref]

Article 231 of the Constitution exempts Churches designated for the provision of religious services from paying property tax.

Education and children’s rights

In January 2023, the Grow Together for the Comprehensive Protection of Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence Law (Ley Crecer Juntos para la Protección Integral de la Primera Infancia, Niñez y Adolescencia) superceded previous legislation governing the rights of children.[ref] Asamblea Legislativa, Ley Crecer Juntos para la Protección Integral de la Primera Infancia, Niñez y Adolescencia, Decreto No. 431, 22 June 2022, https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/F8EFC34A-551A-40FF-9E7E-E4831D3488DF.pdf [/ref]Article 105 enshrines children’s right to the freedoms of thought, conscience and religion stating,

“Children and adolescents have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which will be exercised in accordance with their evolutionary development, without limits beyond those that are prescribed by Law that are necessary to protect their security and respect for the rights of others.

“The family, society and the State shall guide children and adolescents in the practise of these freedoms, and guarantee their exercise by creating the necessary support mechanisms that contribute to their comprehensive development and in accordance with the principle of equality, non-discrimination, and equity.

“Educational establishments have the duty to respect the culture and religion of children and adolescents, and not restrict, undermine or censor the exercise of these freedoms. In any case, those who attend private religious education centers must respect their practices and teachings, without violating the principle of their best interests.“[ref]

Unofficial translation of: “Las niñas, niños y adolescentes tienen derecho a la libertad de pensamiento, conciencia y religión, los cuales se ejercerán conforme a su desarrollo evolutivo, sin más limitantes que las prescritas por la Ley que sean necesarias para proteger su seguridad y el respeto a los derechos de las demás personas.

La familia, la sociedad y el Estado deberán orientar a las niñas, niños y adolescentes sobre la práctica de estas libertades, y garantizar su ejercicio creando los mecanismos de apoyo necesarios que contribuyan a su desarrollo integral y en atención al principio de igualdad, no discriminación y equidad.

Los centros educativos o de formación tienen el deber de respetar la cultura y religión de las
niñas, niños y adolescentes y no restringir, menoscabar o censurar el ejercicio de estas libertades.
En todo caso, aquellos que asistan a centros privados de educación de carácter religioso, deberán respetar las prácticas y enseñanzas de éstos, sin violentar el principio de interés superior.”

[/ref]

Further, Article 58 of the Constitution prohibits schools from discriminating in the admission of students owing to the “nature of the union of their parents or guardians, or social, religious, racial or political differences.”[ref]Unofficial translation of: “Ningún establecimiento de educación podrá negarse a admitir alumnos por motivos de la naturaleza de la unión de sus progenitores o guardadores, ni por diferencias sociales, religiosas, raciales o políticas”[/ref]

Religious education

Public education is secular and there is no religious education component. Private religious schools operate freely without government support or funding.[ref]”El Salvador” chapter in 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom (U.S. Department of State, 2024), https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/el-salvador/ [/ref] All private schools, whether religious or secular, must meet the same standards to obtain Ministry of Education approval.[ref]”El Salvador” chapter in 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom (U.S. Department of State, 2024), https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/el-salvador/ [/ref]

In accordance with Article 105 of the Grow Together law, children who attend private educational establishments must “respect their practices and teachings”. Parents choose whether their children receive religious education in private schools.[ref]”El Salvador” chapter in 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom (U.S. Department of State, 2024), https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/el-salvador/ [/ref]

Repeated calls by legislators to require the reading of the Bible in schools have consistently been rebuffed, most recently in 2019.[ref] Erika Saldaña “Nuestro Estado es laico,” El Salvador, 17 November 2019,
https://historico.elsalvador.com/historico/659897/nuestro-estado-es-laico.html; “Proponen nuevamente lectura de La Biblia en centros educativos”, La Prensa Grafica, 15 January 2016, https://www.laprensagrafica.com/elsalvador/Proponen-nuevamente-lectura-de-La-Biblia-en-centros-educativos-20160115-0078.html; “Proponen lectura de La Biblia en centros educatives del país,” La Página, 14 November 2019, https://lapagina.com.sv/nacionales/proponen-lectura-de-la-biblia-en-centros-educativos-del-pais/; Samuel Tapia, “Diputados divididos por ley impondrá lectura de la Biblia en escuelas, envían proyecto a Comision”, Acento, 16 October 2018 https://acento.com.do/actualidad/diputados-divididos-ley-impondria-lectura-la-biblia-escuelas-reenvian-proyecto-comision-8615389.html[/ref] However, a recent study conducted by Francisco Gavidia University reportedly indicates that 95% of Salvadorans are in favour of the reading of the bible in schools.[ref]Yolanda Magana, “95% de salvadoreños a favor de la lectura de la Biblia en las escuelas: ¿qué ha dicho Bukele?”, El Mundo, 26 April 2024, https://diario.elmundo.sv/politica/95-de-salvadorenos-a-favor-de-la-lectura-de-la-biblia-en-las-escuelas-que-ha-dicho-bukele [/ref]

Comprehensive sexuality education

Article 33 of the Grow Together law guarantees all children and adolescents without exception the right to “receive comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health care” noting the fundamental role of the family in ensuring the exercise of this right.

The right is further emphasized in Article 47, which emphasizes the obligation of all public and private schools to comply with Article 33.

However, Bukele has taken a firm stance against the promotion of “gender ideologies” in schools.[ref]Cristian González Cabrera, “Censoring Sexuality Education is Not a ‘New Idea’”, Human Rights Watch, 11 October 2022, https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/10/11/censoring-sexuality-education-not-new-idea [/ref] Such terminology is often used to challenge the teaching of comprehensive sexuality education in schools.

Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference in the US, Bukele is reported to have stated that,

“I think it is important to bring God back to schools, to bring back morality, civic responsibility, to learn traditional things, like math and history. No one is against modernizing, what we are against is inculcating unnatural, anti-God, anti-family ideologies that have no place in our schools.”[ref]Iliana Cornejo, “Bukele afirma que no permiten ideología de género en las escuelas salvadoreñas”, El Mundo, 28 February 2024, https://diario.elmundo.sv/nacionales/bukele-afirma-que-no-permiten-ideologia-de-genero-en-escuelas-salvadorenas; Luciano Peiteado, “Nayib Bukele reafirmo su postura sobre la ideología de género en las escuelas del el Salvador, ‘Debemos volver a dios’”, La Corriente, 5 March 2024, https://lacorriente.com/nayib-bukele-reafirmo-su-postura-sobre-la-ideologia-de-genero-en-las-escuelas-de-el-salvador-debemos-volver-a-dios/ [/ref]

February 2024 statements made by the Minister for Education that “all trace of gender ideology has been removed from public schools,” have been criticized by civil society as violating the Grow Together Law.[ref]Abigail Parada, “Zaira Navas: ‘Eliminar la educación integral en sexualidad viola la actual le Crecer Juntos’”, El Salvador, 29 March 2024, https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/eliminar-educacion-sexual-viola-crecer-juntos/1132260/2024/; María Luz Nóchez, “El Salvador lidera la proscripción de la educación sexual en Latinoamérica”, El País, 21 April 2024, https://elpais.com/america/2024-04-21/el-salvador-lidera-la-proscripcion-de-la-educacion-sexual-en-latinoamerica.html [/ref] The President of the Citizen’s Group for the Decriminalization of Abortion (Agrupación Ciudadana por la Despenalización del Aborto), Morena Herrera, emphasized that the removal of comprehensive sexuality education from the curriculum should be “considered a crime, because it is the removal of a right, above all in a country with such high levels of child sexual abuse and high rates of pregnancy among girl children and adolescents.”[ref]Iliana Cornejo, “Bukele afirma que no permiten ideología de género en las escuelas salvadoreñas”, El Mundo, 28 February 2024, https://diario.elmundo.sv/nacionales/bukele-afirma-que-no-permiten-ideologia-de-genero-en-escuelas-salvadorenas [/ref] Data indicates that children and adolescents account for at least a third of all pregnancies.[ref]Dr. Eduardo Espinoza, “El Salvador: Mapping teenage pregnancy using administrative records”, Ministry of Health, (accessed 9 January 2025), https://www.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/event-pdf/FINAL-El_Salvador_-_Mapping_teenage_pregnancy_using_administrative_records.pdf; “El Salvador”, Girls Not Brides, accessed 9 January 2025, https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/child-marriage-atlas/regions-and-countries/el-salvador/[/ref]

Family, community and society

A legacy of impunity and gang violence

Between 1980-1992, the military-led government and left-wing guerillas waged a civil war that resulted in the deaths or disappearances of at least 75,000 citizens. Members of the Catholic Church, including Archbishop Romero, were prominent campaigners against human rights abuses during the 1980-1992 civil war, and several members of the clergy were targets for assassination.[ref]“Oscar Romero: A voice for poor communities”, Cafod, accessed 9 January 2025,
https://cafod.org.uk/News/International-news/Oscar-Romero-life-timeline; John Lee Anderson, “Archbishop Oscar Romero becomes a saint but his death still haunts el Salvador”, The New Yorker, 22 October 2018 https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/archbishop-oscar-romero-becomes-a-saint-but-his-death-still-haunts-el-salvador; UN Security Council, Annex, From Madness to Hope: the 12-year war in El Salvador: Report of the Commission on the Truth for El Salvador, S/25500, 1993, 5-8. https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/file/ElSalvador-Report.pdf
[/ref] The quest for justice for all those affected remains ongoing.

Militarism and violence did not abate following the signing of the Peace Accords. Refugees who had fled to the US during the civil war and formed gangs were deported back to El Salvador, where they continued their gang activity.[ref]“El Salvador Profile”, Insight Crime, 17 June 2024, https://insightcrime.org/el-salvador-organized-crime-news/el-salvador/; Tariq Zaidi, “A Nation held hostage”, Foreign Policy, 30 November 2019, https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/11/30/el-salvador-gang-violence-ms13-nation-held-hostage-photography/; “El Salvador’s Politics of Perpetual Violence”, International Crisis Group, 19 December 2017, https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/central-america/el-salvador/64-el-salvadors-politics-perpetual-violence [/ref] At the height of the violence, gangs exerted tremendous control over residents’ daily lives and were operational in over 94% of El Salvador’s municipalities.[ref]Sofía Martínez, “Life under gang rule in El Salvador“, International Crisis Group, 26 November 2018, https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/central-america/el-salvador/life-under-gang-rule-el-salvador [/ref]

In March 2022, the Legislative Assembly adopted a state of emergency that suspended certain basic freedoms following an escalation in gang violence. The state of emergency remains in force to date following multiple extensions deemed necessary to address gang violence in the country.

Through the state of emergency, the authorities have conducted sweeping raids and arrests. Human rights groups estimate that 81,000 people have been detained as part of the campaign, many of whom are not thought to have demonstrable links to gangs.[ref] “El Salvador” chapter in World Report 2025 (Human Rights Watch, 2025) https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/el-salvador [/ref]

Religious groups who have worked to rehabilitate former gang members report opting to self-censor and abstain from expressing their concerns regarding human rights violations in the wake of the introduction of the state of emergency for fear of government retribution.[ref]El Salvador” chapter in 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom (U.S. Department of State, 2024), https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/el-salvador/ [/ref] Indeed, some groups, including the Catholic Church have reported a breakdown in communication between the Church and the State.[ref]Tomás Guevara, “Gobierno de Bukele e Iglesia Católica “sin contacto oficial”, dice cardenal Rosa Chávez”, Voice of America, 29 May 2023, https://www.vozdeamerica.com/a/gobierno-salvadore%C3%B1o-e-iglesia-catolica-sin-contacto-oficial-dice-cardenal-rosa-chavez/7114074.html [/ref]

However, at the same time, President Bukele has reportedly commented, “These pastors are right: God can redeem anyone. God and God alone can forgive their sins and save them. If God forgives them, they will enjoy eternal life. But here on Earth they still must face the consequences of their actions.”[ref]El Salvador” chapter in 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom (U.S. Department of State, 2024), https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/el-salvador/ [/ref]

Sexual and reproductive health and rights

El Salvador maintains a total ban on abortion (Articles 133-137 of the Penal Code[ref]“El Salvador’s Abortion Provisions”, Center for Reproductive Rights, accessed 9 January 2025, https://reproductiverights.org/maps/provision/el-salvadors-abortion-provisions/; Código Penal, https://www.cnj.gob.sv/images/documentos/pdf/ecj/publicaciones/codigopenal_tomoi.pdf [/ref]).

Penalties for women seeking abortions range from two to 50 years in prison. Women thought to have had an abortion may be convicted of the crime of “abortion” in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy; in cases where pregnancies are further along, women may be charged with manslaughter, homicide (Article 128 of the Penal Code), or aggravated homicide (Article 129 of the Penal Code). This is even the case where women have suffered complications during their pregnancy which have resulted in miscarriage or stillbirth, but where others suspect that the pregnancy was aborted.[ref]“Corte IDH determinará responsabilidad internacional de El Salvador por encarcelar a mujeres que sufren complicaciones de sus embarazos”, Colectiva Feminista, 9 March 2021, https://colectivafeminista.org.sv/2021/03/09/corte-idh-determinara-responsabilidad-internacional-de-el-salvador-por-encarcelar-a-mujeres-que-sufren-complicaciones-de-sus-embarazos/; Lisa Kowalchuk, “The unspeakable cruelty of El Salvador’s abortion laws”, The Conversation, 12 April 2018, https://theconversation.com/the-unspeakable-cruelty-of-el-salvadors-abortion-laws-94004; Anna-Catherine Brigida, ”How El Salvador’s evangelicals have joined the backlash against women’s reproductive rights,” openDemocracy, 18 June 2018, https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/el-salvador-evangelicals-reproductive-rights/[/ref]

The ban was enacted in 1997 following lobbying by conservative religious groups – including evangelical and pentecostal Christians – who continue to protest any loosening of the restrictions that have been proposed in the legislative assembly.[ref]Anna-Catherine Brigida, ”How El Salvador’s evangelicals have joined the backlash against women’s reproductive rights,” openDemocracy, 18 June 2018, https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/el-salvador-evangelicals-reproductive-rights/; “UN accused of lies, manipulation in effort to legalize abortion in El Salvador”, Catholic News Agency, 4 July 2021,https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/248256/un-accused-of-lies-manipulation-in-effort-to-legalize-abortion-in-el-salvador
[/ref]

In December 2024, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that El Salvador had violated the human rights of a woman denied an abortion despite her high risk pregnancy. The court ordered the State to adopt “all necessary regulatory measures” so that doctors are authorized to terminate “pregnancies that pose a risk to the woman’s life and health.”[ref]Tiago Rogero, “International court rules against El Salvador in key abortion rights case”, the Guardian, 20 December 2024, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/20/el-salvador-abortion-death-ruling; “El Salvador es responsable por violencia obstetrica y violacion al derecho a salud de una mujer con un embarazo de alto riesgo por falta de protocoloes de atencion medica adecuados”, Comunicado de Prensa 92/2024, Corte Interamerican de Derechos Humanos, accessed 9 January 2025, https://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/comunicados/cp_92_2024.pdf [/ref] The ruling does not bind the country to amend its laws, and the prospect remains unlikely given President Bukele’s outspoken opposition to doing so.[ref] “Presidente Nayib Bukele descarta aborto, matrimonio entre dos personas del mismo sexo y la eutanasia en las reformas constitucionales”, Presidencia, 17 September 2021, https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/presidente-nayib-bukele-descarta-aborto-matrimonio-entre-dos-personas-del-mismo-sexo-y-la-eutanasia-en-las-reformas-constitucionales/ [/ref]

In May 2024, the new Legislative Assembly eliminated several specialized legislative commissions, including its Commission on Women and Gender Equality, in existence since 2009.[ref]“El Salvador” chapter in World Report 2025 (Human Rights Watch, 2025) https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/el-salvador [/ref]

LGBTI+ rights

Members of the LGBTI+ community face pervasive discrimination and are the target of hate crimes by police, gangs, and members of the general public.[ref]“El Salvador” chapter in World Report 2024 (Human Rights Watch, 2024), https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/el-salvador; [/ref] Same-sex marriage is illegal.[ref]“El Salvador”, ILGA World database, accessed 9 January 2025, https://database.ilga.org/el-salvador-lgbti [/ref]

In June 2024, President Bukele dismissed over 300 employees from the Ministry of Culture, citing their promotion of an agenda incompatible with his government’s vision.[ref]“Bukele anuncia despidos de unos 300 empleados públicos en El Salvador para «ahorrar» fondos”, EFE, 28 June 2024, https://efe.com/mundo/2024-06-28/bukele-despide-empleados-publicos/; “Cuestionan despido de 300 trabajadores del Ministerio de Cultura de El Salvador”, Associated Press, 28 June 2024, https://apnews.com/world-news/general-news-423b848bb19f239c212ee96f3f276e60 [/ref] According to ILGA World, the decision followed the cancellation of a production of a drag play at the National Theatre previously authorized by the Ministry. It had been staged for one day when it sparked controversy over its allegedly “unsuitable content for Salvadoran families.”[ref]“El Salvador”, ILGA World database, accessed 9 January 2025, https://database.ilga.org/el-salvador-lgbti [/ref]

Freedom of expression, advocacy of humanist values

Article 6 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and media freedom, however, these rights have been increasingly undermined in practice with officials attempting to discredit the work of journalists and civil society actors, including by labeling them as defenders of gangs.[ref]“El Salvador” chapter in World Report 2025 (Human Rights Watch, 2025) https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/el-salvador; Juan Martínez d’Aubuisson, “Bukele me convirtió en un pandillero por mi trabajo como investigador”, The Washington Post, 18 April 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/es/post-opinion/2022/04/18/bukele-maras-el-salvador-ideologia-estado-excepcion-pandillas-ley-mordaza/; Global Voices Advox. “In El Salvador, President Bukele harasses independent journalists on Twitter”, IFEX, 24 January 2023, https://ifex.org/in-el-salvador-president-bukele-harasses-independent-journalists-on-twitter/; Cristian Meléndez and Eugenia Velázquez, “La Asamblea Legislativa del bukelismo es un lugar hostil para los periodistas”, Gato Encerrado, 31 July 2024, https://gatoencerrado.news/2024/07/31/la-asamblea-legislativa-del-bukelismo-es-un-lugar-hostil-para-los-periodistas/ [/ref]

De facto blasphemy law

Article 296 of the Penal Code (‘Attacks against freedom of religion’) imposes criminal sentences of six months to two years on those who publicly offend or insult the religious beliefs of others, or damage or destroy religious objects. If such acts are carried out with and for the purpose of publicity, sentences increase to one to three years in prison. Repeat offenders face prison sentences of three to eight years.[ref]“El Salvador”, End Blasphemy Laws, last updated 18 June 2020, https://end-blasphemy-laws.org/countries/americas/el-salvador/[/ref]

Other articles of the penal code relating to insult and defamation make it plain that insult to religious feelings is not punishable under those articles.

Attacks on the media

As a result of the harassment and surveillance they face, journalists critical of the authorities are increasingly opting to self-censor.[ref]Committee to Protect Journalists, “A culture of silence threatens press freedom under El Salvador President Bukele”, IFEX, 14 October 2024, https://ifex.org/a-culture-of-silence-threatens-press-freedom-under-el-salvador-president-bukele/; “El Salvador” chapter in Freedom in the World 2024 (Freedom House, 2024), https://freedomhouse.org/country/el-salvador/freedom-world/2024 [/ref]

In 2022, amendments made to the Penal Code paved the way for journalists to serve between 10 and 15 years in prison if they shared gang messaging that “could cause anxiety and panic among the general population. The vague wording of the clauses effectively stifles reporting on gang violence in the country.[ref]“Periodistas salvadoreños buscan Corte Suprema por ‘mordaza’”, Deutsche Welle, 20 April 2022, https://www.dw.com/es/periodistas-de-el-salvador-acuden-a-corte-suprema-ante-mordaza/a-61518347 [/ref]

Attacks on human rights defenders

Under the current administration, non-governmental organizations have largely been excluded from engagement with policymakers.[ref] “El Salvador” chapter in Freedom in the World 2024 (Freedom House, 2024), https://freedomhouse.org/country/el-salvador/freedom-world/2024 [/ref]

President Bukele’s government has reportedly targeted civil society groups, including journalists and human rights groups, both through smear campaigns and the threat of criminal prosecution.[ref]“El Salvador: Recommendations for the Government of El Salvador within the 2025 Universal Periodic Review”, Amnesty International, 25 July 2024, Index Number: AMR 29/8364/2024, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr29/8364/2024/en/; “El Salvador” chapter in Freedom in the World 2024 (Freedom House, 2024), https://freedomhouse.org/country/el-salvador/freedom-world/2024 [/ref]

The State has used the state of emergency to justify the arbitrary detention of human rights defenders. Most of these cases involved people defending land, territory and natural resources, and labor rights, according to Amnesty International.[ref]“El Salvador 2023” Chapter in The State of the World’s Human Rights (Amnesty International, 2024), https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/americas/central-america-and-the-caribbean/el-salvador/report-el-salvador/ [/ref]

Freedom of assembly

According to Freedom House[ref]“El Salvador” chapter in Freedom in the World 2024 (Freedom House, 2024), https://freedomhouse.org/country/el-salvador/freedom-world/2024 [/ref],

“Freedom of assembly is generally upheld, and public protests and gatherings are permitted. However, the Bukele government has surveilled activists who organize such events, pushing some citizens to refrain from participating due to fear of potential repercussions. The 2022 state of emergency suspends the right to free assembly. In practice demonstrations do take place, notably among the families of individuals swept up in mass arrests targeting gangs. Protests in major locations are frequently monitored by riot police.”​