Forced displacement for violence. Peace and security in El Salvador

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a heated debate in El Salvador regarding the existence, scope, and scale of forced displacement in the country. The relationship between violence and human mobility is reflected in a series of direct and indirect indicators from various state and non-state sources. In the absence of an adequate and comprehensive nationwide registration system, these indicators provide an approximation of the scale of the displacement problem in El Salvador. Forced displacement is one of the most devastating effects of widespread violence and an extreme manifestation of the ineffectiveness of security policies and the absence of an effective national protection system, which also points to major challenges for the country’s democratic governance. It is urgent to recognize that the primary responsibility for protection lies with the State. The approach to assisting victims and responding to displacement must be the cornerstone for consolidating a democratic security strategy that generates greater levels of trust among citizens and between citizens and authorities. Thus, as in the Colombian experience, a national commitment to assisting victims of displacement and violence could be an important step toward building peace in El Salvador.