AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 001720

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ES
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN

REF: A. SAN SALVADOR 1485


B. SAN SALVADOR 1525

C. SAN SALVADOR 1264


1. (U) On August 29, Ambassador Glazer visited the Salvadoran
Human Rights Ombudsman, Oscar Luna, in his San Salvador
office. In this, their first meeting, the Ambassador and
Luna exchanged views on the importance of respect for human
rights in democratic countries.


2. (U) Luna stated that his focus as Ombudsman was on
education and the "mediation role" of the Ombudsman's office
(PDDH by its Spanish initials). He emphasized that he wants
the PDDH to be more proactive and less reactive. The
institution of the PDDH is critical in El Salvador, according
to Luna, and it holds a dual role of ensuring government
accountability while at the same time educating people in
what they should expect from their government. He also said
his office was interested in promoting the rights of the
elderly and disabled in El Salvador


3. (U) The Ambassador brought up the impact of crime and
violence on life in El Salvador and told Luna that he viewed
crime as a critical human rights issue. The Ambassador
imparted his "take back the streets" message, noting that
"the ability to walk down the street" unmolested and without
danger is a basic human right. Luna concurred and agreed
that improved public security was integral both to human
rights and to strengthening democracy.


4. (U) Luna raised the subject of the events in Suchitoto
(reftel A),stressing the importance of freedom of assembly,
association, and speech, while at the same time saying that
"human rights are not absolute rights," and freedoms must be
exercised within the limits of the law. Luna also spoke of
his desire to educate the Salvadoran people on their
individual "duties" to uphold human rights.


5. (U) According to Luna, relations between the PDDH and the
National Civilian Police (PNC) are very good, and his office
and the PNC have a memorandum of cooperation to work
alongside political groups to promote "peaceful protest" and
avoid confrontation. Luna expressed his concern over
allegations of police corruption (reftel B),and said that he
supported the creation of an independent commission (outside
of the PDDH) to conduct a comprehensive review of the PNC.
This review would identify institutional weaknesses and make
recommendations for improvements within the PNC.


6. (U) At the end of the meeting the Ambassador and Luna
discussed ways that the Embassy and the PDDH could work
together. The Ambassador and DCM suggested that the Embassy
could assist the PDDH by sending staff to training sessions
in the U.S. and bringing human rights experts to El Salvador.
Luna was appreciative and said he thought this would be
helpful.


7. (U) Comment: In sharp contrast to Beatrice de Carrillo,
his predecessor, Luna appears to be a modest and deliberative
leader of the PDDH. Luna went out of his way to point out
that the PDDH is "not an NGO" and has an important mediating
role within the GOES. The meeting with Luna reinforces our
confidence (reftel C) in Luna's ability to regain credibility
for the PDDH and reinforce El Salvador's democratic
institutions. End Comment.
Glazer