Democratic systems and justice mechanisms worldwide are facing increased pressures from climate-related disruptions and rampant gang violence. A recent report highlights the impact of climate events on elections, while El Salvador conducts a massive trial against alleged gang members as part of a crackdown on organized crime.

Climate Impacts on Elections
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance has released a report indicating that at least 94 elections across 52 countries have been disrupted by climate-related events over the past two decades. In 2024 alone, 23 elections in 18 countries, including Brazil and Senegal, were affected by floods, wildfires, and extreme weather conditions. The report emphasizes the need for election scheduling to consider predictable climate threats, as noted by co-author Sarah Birch from King’s College London. Birch advocates for collaboration between electoral bodies and meteorological experts to minimize disruptions.

Examples of these disruptions include Mozambique's 2019 election, which was severely impacted by Cyclone Idai, and Senegal's parliamentary election in November 2024, hindered by flooding that necessitated firefighter assistance for election observers. Heatwaves have also posed challenges, affecting at least ten elections since 2022, including the Philippines' general election where vote-counting machines malfunctioned due to extreme temperatures.

Mass Trial in El Salvador
In a separate but equally significant development, a Salvadoran court has commenced a mass trial involving 486 alleged members of the notorious MS-13 gang. This trial is part of President Nayib Bukele's aggressive approach to combating gang violence under a state of emergency that has been in effect since 2022. Prosecutors allege that the gang members are responsible for over 47,000 crimes, including homicide and extortion, committed in the last decade.

Under the state of emergency, more than 91,500 individuals have been detained, and mass trials have been authorized by Congress. Human rights organizations have raised alarms about potential violations of due process, with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights expressing concerns regarding the suspension of legal rights for defendants. The ongoing trial could see individual sentences reaching up to 245 years for multiple charges.

Wrap-up
Both the climate crisis and the fight against gang violence illustrate the multifaceted challenges to democracy and justice systems globally. While climate-related events threaten the integrity of elections, severe measures taken against organized crime in El Salvador raise important questions about human rights and legal protections. These issues underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address both environmental and societal crises.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team