Rights advocates from around the world are demanding El Salvador’s government release five water defenders who were detained earlier this month on charges denounced as politically motivated. 

San Salvador, January 23 (RHC)-- Rights advocates from around the world are demanding El Salvador’s government release five water defenders who were detained earlier this month on charges denounced as politically motivated. 

The five water defenders were instrumental in pressuring the Salvadoran legislature to issue a 2017 ban on metal mining to protect the country’s rivers and water sources.  They’re accused of murdering an alleged military informant over three decades ago while El Salvador was in the midst of a brutal war. 

The protests come as the government of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele is reportedly considering reversing the metal mining ban.