In a shocking rights report released on Tuesday, it has been revealed that the government of El Salvador has arrested over 3,000 underage suspects during the aggressive 2 1/2 year-old crackdown on street gangs. The report by Human Rights Watch highlights the inhumane treatment of these minors, who have often been held in "inhumane conditions" and, disturbingly, sometimes even alongside adult detainees.

According to the report, the authorities have shown negligence in ensuring basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and family contact for these juvenile detainees. Furthermore, they have failed to protect them from possible physical abuse or sexual assault within the prison system. Out of the 3,319 minors detained, a staggering 579 have been sentenced to prison terms as of January.

The report further describes a deeply concerning trend of coercion and mistreatment by authorities, which has led to false confessions and convictions of minors. Allegedly, abusive plea deals, mistreatment, and even torture have contributed to these coerced confessions. To make matters worse, the offenses for which they are being convicted, such as "unlawful association," carry disproportionate and harsh sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years.

Earlier this month, human rights organization Cristosal reported the deaths of at least 261 individuals in El Salvador's prisons during the crackdown on street gangs. While the report does not specify the nature of these deaths, it suggests that 88 of them "may have been the result of a criminal act," raising further concerns about the treatment of detainees.

El Salvador has been under a state of emergency since 2022, and President Nayib Bukele's government has conducted sweeping arrests, rounding up approximately 81,110 suspected gang members. However, these arrests have faced criticism for their arbitrary nature, often based on appearance or place of residence. Due to a lack of evidence, around 7,000 individuals have been released.

President Bukele's administration has garnered popularity in El Salvador due to a significant drop in homicide rates following the implementation of these measures. The country, once plagued by high crime rates, can now boast the lowest homicide rate in the region. Bukele, despite constitutional limitations on second terms for presidents, was reelected in February with the support of the populace.

This rights report sheds light on the dark side of El Salvador's gang crackdown, revealing the mistreatment and inadequate protection of underage suspects. As international attention turns to this issue, questions about human rights abuses and the need for reforms in the country's justice system are likely to intensify.