A TRAVEL TO THE PAST IN EL SALVADOR
At first glance this article might seem odd to be include with the general topic "The Vs Justice yet in my opinion is one of the most important ones since it is necessary to revisit the past to understand the present reality of El Salvador.
December 11th the same as March 23rd are two dates when Salvadorans take some time to remember and reflect about the need to consolidate the peace process that started in 1992.
On March 23rd, we reflect about the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero who left not only among Salvadorans but also among brothers and sisters from other countries a legacy of hope for a future. On December 11th we also reflect about another fact that added to the many reasons why many Salvadoran felt the need for changes in our society. I am referring to one of the biggest massacres that were committed during the Salvadoran Civil was, the Massacre of El Mozote which took place on December 11th 1980 and was carried out by the Salvadoran Armed Forces. You can find more details of this on pages 114 through 121 of the UN Commission of Truth report (included in this blog). The only survivor from that massacre
Rufina Amaya who passed away on 2007. Thanks to Rufina we were able to know more details on what happened that day.
They are not dead,
they are with us,
with you and,
with humanity"
The commission on truth report contains this segment which shows the total disregard of any human rights that a the same time fueled the urgent need for changes…
Early next morning, 11 December, the soldiers reassembled the entire population in the square. They separated the men from the women and children and locked everyone up in different groups in the church, the convent and various houses.
During the morning, they proceeded to interrogate, torture and execute the men in various locations. Around noon, they began taking out the women in groups, separating them from their children and machine-gunning them. Finally, they killed the children. A group of children who had been locked in the convent were machine-gunned through the windows. After exterminating the entire population, the soldiers set fire to the buildings
Pasted from
You can hear this from the words of Rufina Amaya…
Rufina Amaya
Only survivor of the massacre of Mozote
on Dec 11th 1980-2007
On December 11th I will be taking my time to reflect on this events and would like you to reflect on them as well…
