US 2012 Human Rights Report on El Salvador

On Friday, April 19, the US State Department released its annual collection of human rights reports concerning countries around the world, including its 2012 report for El Salvador.  The Executive Summary of the report states:

The principal human rights problems were widespread corruption, particularly in
the judicial system; weaknesses in the judiciary and the security forces that led to a
high level of impunity; violence, including domestic violence, and discrimination
against women; and abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of children. 

Other human rights problems included isolated unlawful killings and cruel
treatment by security forces; lengthy pretrial detention; harsh and life-threatening
prison conditions;some restrictions on freedom of speech and press; trafficking in
persons; and discrimination against persons with disabilities and persons with
HIV/AIDS. There were also widespread discrimination and some violence against
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons; child labor; and
inadequate enforcement of labor laws. 

Although the government took steps to dismiss some officials who committed
abuses in the penitentiary system and the police, impunity persisted.

The report attempts to be primarily factual in nature.   The State Department reports information from NGOs  and governmental agencies about reports of human rights issues and concerns and whether reports or complaints were addressed.  There is only a passing mention of the gang truce and what involvement the government might have had in negotiating with gang leaders.  The 29 page document provides a good starting point for knowing what is going on in the country, but not much insight into "why."