Hate crimes remain unpunished in El Salvador: calls for investigations

They demand that the State investigate and prosecute hate crimes against the LGBTI population.

November 4, 2019

By Paula Rosales, from El Salvador

The Salvadoran Federation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People (FESLGBTI) demanded that the State investigate and prosecute hate crimes committed against the LGBTI population.

According to records from the Federation, from January to October 2019, seven LGBTI people were murdered with extreme cruelty , of which five cases were committed against trans women .

The organizations issued their statement following the murder of Anahy Miranda Rivas early Sunday morning. The 27-year-old trans woman was brutally murdered inside a vehicle on a busy boulevard in San Salvador.

READ MORE: A 27-year-old trans woman was murdered in San Salvador

The Federation documented at least 20 murders of transgender women between the ages of 16 and 32 in the last three years. Their life expectancy does not exceed 33 years. Meanwhile, at least three murders of transgender men were recorded among them during 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Hate crimes remain unpunished

“The Salvadoran LGBTI Federation demands that the prosecutor’s office and the police, as well as other operators in the justice sector, investigate the murder of LGBTI people , applying the reform to the penal code related to hate crimes and prejudice , and seeking the conviction of those responsible for these crimes,” said Roberto Zapata of the organization Amate El Salvador.

READ MORE: At least 4 LGBTI people are murdered every day in Latin America

In 2015, El Salvador's Congress reformed the penal code to criminalize offenses based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. However, to date, all such cases remain unpunished.

“ Life must be defended regardless of age, gender, or condition . Anyone who dares to violate this irreplaceable right will face severe legal consequences. And it is my duty to ensure that this is upheld,” wrote Attorney General Raúl Melara on his Twitter account.

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