5. “Egypt: ‘Decade of shame’ since hundreds killed with impunity in Rabaa massacre”, 14 August 6. “Egypt: Unjustly held Yemeni at risk of deportation: Abdul-Baqi Saeed Abdo”, 7 September EL SALVADOR Republic of El Salvador The state of emergency initiated in 2022 was ongoing, resulting in widespread human rights violations, erosion of the rule of law, and criminalization of dissenting voices. Restrictions on freedom of association increased, and obstacles to peaceful protest and stigmatization of journalists and human rights defenders continued. The total prohibition of abortion remained in force. Authorities failed to approve legislation guaranteeing the rights of victims of crimes committed during the 1980-1992 armed conflict. BACKGROUND Following a proposal by President Bukele, the Legislative Assembly extended the state of emergency, which remained in place at the end of 2023. The assembly enacted and amended numerous laws that violated the right to a fair trial. International human rights mechanisms expressed their concerns that the extension did not conform with the exceptional and temporary nature required for the invocation of a state of emergency. In October, President Bukele officially registered himself as a presidential candidate, despite objections from legal experts and civil society organizations citing the constitution’s prohibition of immediate reelection. ARBITRARY DETENTION AND UNFAIR TRIALS Between the start of the state of emergency on 27 March 2022 and the end of 2023, more than 73,000 detentions were recorded. Most detainees were accused of “illegal associations”, a crime linked to gang activity and membership. The majority of the 160 detentions carried out under the state of emergency were arbitrary because they violated due process guarantees through absence of clear judicial orders, prolongation of administrative detentions, lack of precise information from authorities to detainees’ families regarding their whereabouts, and concealment of the identity of the judges processing detainees. The state of emergency particularly affected impoverished and marginalized communities, deepening their vulnerability.1 National protection mechanisms, such as the Human Rights Ombudsperson’s Office, recorded a significant increase in requests for the verification of detainees’ whereabouts. Under the state of emergency, however, its capacity to fulfil its mandate was limited and it was unable to access all detention centres. The Supreme Court of Justice was also denounced by civil society organizations for its ineffectiveness in processing habeas corpus appeals, increasing detainees’ vulnerability. Although authorities reported the release of more than 7,000 detainees, 85% of these individuals were not acquitted of the “illegal associations” charges and continued to face legal proceedings that remained pending. The risk of these individuals undergoing unfair trials was exacerbated by regulations that allowed summary trials and hindered the right to effective defence. TORTURE AND OTHER ILL-TREATMENT The Salvadoran penitentiary system faced critical levels of overcrowding, reaching a 300% occupancy rate, equivalent to more than 100,000 inmates. This accounted for 1.14% of the country’s general population and positioned El Salvador as having the highest rate of incarceration globally, according to local civil society organizations. Many detainees reported being subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, including restrictions on food, water and access to sanitary facilities, lack of adequate medical care, and excessive use of force by prison guards. Women inmates lacked attention to their specific needs, including access to The State of the World’s Human Rights