Lara
Pullin, Latin American solidarity activist has breaking news from El
Salvador. The FMLN opposition party is confident enough of its popular
support, and its chances of winning next years election, that they have
tabled legislation repealing the 'amnesty law', granting impunity to
those accused of gross human rights violations and war crimes, during
the 12 year civil war. The law was passed in 1993 as part of the 1992
'Accord' that marked the end of the civil war.
Repeal of the amnesty
law will will impinge heavily on the ARENA party (that leads the
current governing coalition) and the military. The founder of the ARENA
party, Roberto D'Aubuisson was widely believed to have ordered the
assassination of Archbishop Romero and other Death Squad murders, while
certain army units were responsible for the elimination of entire
villages, including children and infants.
As the elections next year
draw nearer tensions are mounting, with FMLN leaders calling on their
supporters not to react to increasing incidents of anti-FMLN violence.