October 12, 2007
NPR: El Salvador's Anti-Terrorism Law Draws Criticism
Blogpost
from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15185094
{mp3}npr_elsalvador{/mp3}
Day to Day, October 11, 2007 · The government of El Salvador has come under fire from human rightsorganizations since it passed an anti-terrorism law modeled on the U.S.Patriot Act.
Fourteen activists who were protesting plans to privatize the national water company are being tried under the new law.
Thegovernment alleges that some of them threw stones at public officials which is now punishable as a terror crime under a law that does notclearly define what a terrorist is. Human rights groups and othercritics say the law's real aim is to stifle dissent.
"I am a CISPES supporter because continuing to fight for social justice and a more people-centered country means continuing the dream and sacrifice of thousands of my fellow Salvadorans who died for that vision.” - Padre Carlos, New York City
