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CIS
Boulevard Universitario #4
Colonia El Roble
San Salvador, El Salvador
Centroamérica

Tel/FAX: +503 226-2623

cis_elsalvador@yahoo.com

SALVADORAN GOVERNMENT CARRIES OUT CAMPAIGN OF INTIMIDATION AGAINST INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

September 2003

Since mid-July 2003, three solidarity volunteers from Switzerland, Canada and the U.S. have been denied entry into El Salvador. On September 9, 2003, immigration police entered the offices of the Centro de Intercambio y Solidaridad (CIS) without a permit and registered the names and passport numbers of all internationals present, including a visiting delegation from the University of Chicago as well as other volunteers.

These events should be seen in a context of the Salvadoran Government’s and global events that are threatening democracy. El Salvador’s presidential elections are just 6 months away (March 21, 2004) and according to recent polls of the Francisco Gavidia University, there is a virtual impasse between the ruling ARENA party and the left FMLN party. At the same time, the U.S. and Central American financial elite are negotiating in secret the future of Central American countries, in the “U.S. Central America Free Trade Agreement”, which will submit Salvadoran laws and human rights below transnational corporation’s economic interests and regulations. El Salvador and the U.S. hope to sign the agreement before the March presidential elections, since the FMLN would not likely sign the agreement if they win. On September 9, there was a public regrouping of the “Tandona”, the 1966 graduating class of the military, responsible for directing the war and heinous massacres against the civilian population. Their stated purpose for reorganizing themselves according to Col. Rene Emilio Ponce, quoted in La Prensa Grafica September 10th, is that, “there is a real threat to the system, and the country needs to maintain itself on the right path. The communist aggression is totalitarian and looks to introduce a system like Cuba.” It is worth noting that in recent weeks, the Human Rights Procurator, Dra. Beatrice de Carrillo, the Jesuit radio station, YSUCA, and the independent newspaper, Co-Latino, have all received death threats.

The CIS has played a leading role since the end of the war in organizing international election observers. Current intimidation could threaten the ability to organize the mission and hinder independent observation, which has contributed to free and fair elections as well as election reforms. It is also important to note the role of solidarity since the war in accompanying the Salvadoran people in the following manner: implementation of the Peace Accords, raising funds for humanitarian aid to communities affected by the war, Hurricane Mitch, and the 2001 earthquakes, as well as providing vigilance to support human, economic and social rights, especially for women working in maquila factories, and building people-to-people solidarity in communities working for social and economic justice.

For the first time since the end of the civil war the Salvadoran Government has begun to develop a “black list” prohibiting certain internationals from entering El Salvador. Rene Fasnacht (Ramon Suizo), from Switzerland, has lived in El Salvador for the past 20 years. Since the end of the war he has been working with communities to rescue the historical memory of those who died in the war. On March 16th, he was detained by police for hanging up a poster to commemorate the anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Romero, and accused of being involved in internal politics. Since there was no basis for the arrest, he was released. On July 17 of this year after returning from Switzerland, he was denied entry into El Salvador and deported. Similarly, Simone Stothers, from Canada, and a volunteer who sets up delegations for the CIS was facilitating a study for Marquette University in Milwaukee about the respiratory impact on women who work in the maquilas at the end of May of this year. While doing the exams with women at the office of the Mélida Anaya Montes Women’s Movement office, the immigration police arrived and registered the names and passport numbers of the members of the Marquette University delegation and Simone Stothers, the delegation coordinator. When Simone returned from a visit to Canada on August 19th, she was denied entry into El Salvador and deported. All foreigners that have been registered by immigration police at NGO offices and other places and then later denied entry to date have been legally in El Salvador and volunteering to promote people to people solidarity in El Salvador.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT:

1. Ask your elected representatives, community leaders, your embassy or consulate in El Salvador to express their concern with the formation of a black list against international solidarity volunteers and possible threats to democracy, freedom, and international election observation (recognized by both the United Nations and the Organization of American States). Ask for immediate removal of restrictions of the entry into El Salvador of Rene Fasnacht and Simone Stothers.

PLEASE send the CIS copies of any letters sent; names of anyone you spoke to, date, and any responses written or oral: cis_elsalvador@yahoo.com.

2. We need your financial support. The CIS needs to raise funds immediately to strengthen and reactivate our human rights program, pay for legal support, and additional staff expenses being incurred. Tax deductible contributions in the U.S. can be made out to CIS and mailed to:

Center for Exchange and Solidarity

PO BOX 17025

St. Paul, MN 55117-0025

Write us for information on tax deductible contributions in Canada or send checks directly in U.S. dollars made out to CIS – and mailed to:

CIS

Boulevard Universitario, Casa #4

Colonia El Roble

San Salvador, El Salvador

CENTRAL AMERICA

3. Observe El Salvador’s elections and/or organize a delegation to El Salvador. It will be extremely important for international observation to be strong in light of this threat against the democratic openings won in the Peace Accords. This campaign of intimidation is not limited to internationals and your continued accompaniment of Salvadoran communities is greatly needed.

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