[Cispes-update] SIGEESAL Unionists Released on Bail

[CISPES National Office]

SIGEESAL Unionists Released on Bail

CISPES Update

September 14, 2007

 

On Sunday, September 9, the eight members of the General Health Workers
Union (SIGEESAL) were released from police detention after the union
leadership mobilized legal support for the detainees.  The unionists had
been arrested a week earlier under charges of public disorder and "damages
to private property" for their participation in a July 6 protest against
corruption and privatization in the public hospital system.  Although there
had been damages to property during the protest - some graffiti with protest
messages got painted on hospital walls - in the days after the protest the
unionists agreed with the hospital officials to repair any damages.  The
unionists themselves repainted the hospital walls long before they were
arrested for those "damages."  The unionists will face trial in
approximately three months, meanwhile the prosecution has time to
"investigate" and look for evidence against them. 

 

The Salvadoran Union Front (FSS) believes that these arrests represent
another threat from the government to unions and other progressive groups
mobilizing against the Saca administration's privatization plans, against
the high level of corruption and the deterioration of the national public
health care system.  The Salvadoran Union Front is also continuing their
support for the eight unionists with legal support and pressuring for the
charges to be dropped.  The SIGEESAL arrests come just two months after the
attack on the Suchitoto protest against water privatization.  The terrorism
trial against those protestors is scheduled to move forward in early
October, when the state will present its evidence in a hearing.  If a judge
rules there is sufficient evidence at that point, the terrorism trial will
move forward as soon as October. 

 

FMLN launches "Social Open Dialogue" initiative 

This past Monday September 10, the political commission of the FMLN held a
public event to present their draft Government Program 2009-2014 to various
social organizations.  The purpose of the event was to open up dialogue with
various social sectors so their input can be incorporated into the party's
government platform for the 2009 elections.  The public consultation process
is expected to last a year, with different sectors of society consulted
through a series of meetings, assemblies, public tribunals, and workshops. 

 

The event was widely attended by social movement organizations such as the
Salvadoran Union Front, the National Vendors Movement, youth and campesino
organizers, church and women's organizations.   Well respected journalist
and potential FMLN presidential candidate, Mauricio Funes, was also present
at the event.  Many organizations took the opportunity to express their
support for Funes.  Over the course of the past month there have been a
series of public conferences and meetings in which social organizations have
called on the Political Commission of the FMLN to offer the presidential
candidacy to Mauricio Funes.  Just this past week, there were 5 events in
which various social and community organizations held public events showing
their support for the possibility of a Mauricio Funes presidential
candidacy.   In response, Funes assured that for as long as there is "a
demand from the social organizations, groups of professionals,
intellectuals, communities and political parties, it is an opportunity to
which I am open." The FMLN will officially decide on its candidates at the
party's national convention later this year.

 

 

 

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