EL SALVADOR: human rights lawyer Ruth López detained for her work against corruption
23 May 2025
On 18 May 2025 at 11pm, lawyer and human rights defender Ruth López was arrested without prior notice by officers of the National Civil Police of El Salvador. Since her arrest, she has only had access to her family and legal team for a few days, in violation of due process guarantees.
Ruth López is a renowned Salvadoran lawyer who has stood out in the defence of human rights, institutional transparency and the fight against corruption under the government of Nayib Bukele. In 2024, Ruth López was included in the BBC’s list of the 100 most influential and inspiring women in the world. Ruth López has investigated cases of corruption and state espionage, including the use of Pegasus spyware against journalists and human rights defenders, leading to smear campaigns and threats.
The Attorney General’s Office justified López’s arrest for alleged crimes committed in the course of her duties as an advisor to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the Salvadoran Social Security Institute, between 2014 and 2019. The Cristosal organisation, whose anti-corruption and justice unit Ruth López heads, described the accusations as unfounded and part of a campaign of political persecution against those who denounce the corruption and abuses of the current government.
The Observatory points out that the arrest of lawyer Ruth López is not an isolated case, having recently denounced the arrest of lawyer Alejandro Henríquez [1].
The Observatory strongly condemns the detention of Ruth López and calls on the Salvadoran authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally.
The Observatory urges the Salvadoran authorities to guarantee the physical integrity of the lawyer Ruth López and to respect her right to due process.
The Observatory firmly denounces the intimidation and arbitrary persecution of lawyers in El Salvador and demands that the authorities guarantee the free and independent exercise of the legal profession.
The Observatory recalls that, in accordance with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, in particular principles 16 and 17:
“Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (…); and (c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.” (Principle 16)
“Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities.” (Principle 17)
[1] Protect Lawyers. (19 May 2025). Alert : Alejandro Henríquez. https://protect-lawyers.org/en/case/alejandro-henriquez/
