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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Thomas Graham in Mexico City

Thousands of children swept up in El Salvador mass arrests, rights body says

Hundreds of people stand with their hands on their heads as security forces wearing all black walk through.
This picture released last month by El Salvador's presidency shows alleged gang members in the city of Tecoluca. Photograph: El Salvador's Presidency Press Office/AFP/Getty Images

About 3,000 children – including some as young as 12 – have been swept up in El Salvador’s mass detentions since President Nayib Bukele began his crackdown on gangs two years ago, according to a new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The report, which draws on case files and almost 100 interviews with victims, police and officials, documents the arbitrary detention of children and ill-treatment that in some cases amounted to torture.

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