Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of H.R. 618 which utilizes for Salvadorans and Nicaraguans the extended voluntary departure [EVD] section of immigration law enabling the temporary and countryspecific provision of refugee status for citizens whose homeland imposes a reasonable risk of violence or political persecution. One of the greatest and most glaring deficiencies of El Salvadors newly found democracy is the inability of civilian authority. most importantly the criminal justice system. to make accountable the military. Continuing human rights abuses by the military. documented and reported by Americas Watch. Amnesty International. and other independent human rights groups as well as the United States Department of State continue to go unprosecuted. largely because of the intimidating military power of the Salvadoran military that no Salvadoran judge wants to address. those that have put their life seriously at risk.
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