El Salvador Declares Gangs Terrorist Organizations
El Salvador Declares Gangs Terrorist
El Salvador's Supreme Court ruled that any gang that uses systematic violence to try to take over state powers will be deemed a terrorist group.
El Salvador’s two most powerful gangs, Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, are now considered terrorist organizations by the Salvadoran government, after a Supreme Court ruling Monday found the gangs’ actions “indiscriminately” affect the “fundamental rights of the population.”
According to the decision, the court found the gangs are in violation of the country’s Special Law Against Acts of Terrorism, leading to the categorization as terrorist groups. Actions considered in the ruling include systematic attacks on life and public security, against police, military, and other officials.
The decision also considered how gangs violate Salvadorans’ basic rights through extortion and other actions that have restricted people’s movement and forced some to leave their homes under the threat of violence. Gangs have also had a role in preventing youth from realizing their right to education out of fear of being targeted when attending school, according to the decision.
More:
http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/El-Salvador-Declares-Gangs-Terrorist-Organizations-20150825-0012.html
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