Authorities in El Salvador have arrested some 50,000 people suspected of gang membership since President Najib Bukela declared war on criminal gangs in the country last March.

Director of the National Civil Police Mauricio Arreaza, Minister of Justice Gustavo Villatoro and Minister of Defense René Merino appeared before Parliament to demand an extension of the powers granted under the state of emergency, which allow the issuance of arrest warrants to be cancelled. . Parliament approved another extension of the state of emergency for another month after it was due to expire on August 20.

Opinion polls have shown the measure to be very popular, despite criticism from civil rights organizations in El Salvador and beyond. These groups and relatives of the detainees say people have already been arrested without evidence or due process and imprisoned for months awaiting trial.

The state of emergency reportedly suspended the right to associate, the right to know the reason for arrest and to have access to a lawyer. The government can also tamper with the calls and emails of anyone it deems a suspect.