requested that the state provide detailed and updated information about the criminal investigations and all the efforts made to identify and bring to justice those suspected of criminal responsibility for crimes under international law and human rights violations. In July, the Supreme Court declared the 1993 Amnesty Law unconstitutional, an important step forward for victims of past human rights violations seeking justice.4 Four military officers who were the subject of a 2011 arrest warrant issued by a Spanish judge for their involvement in the 1989 killing of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter were reportedly arrested in February. However, according to press reports, the Supreme Court denied the extradition request in August. In September, a court ordered the reopening of the El Mozote case in which hundreds of civilians were executed by military officials in December 1981. During 2016, two former military officers who served as ministers of defence during the armed conflict were deported from the USA to El Salvador accused of human rights violations committed during the 1980s.5 The rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly were severely curtailed ahead of presidential elections in April. Police used excessive force including firearms against members of opposition parties. Hundreds of political opponents and others, including foreign nationals, were arbitrarily arrested and held without charge or trial for varying periods; several were tortured. BACKGROUND In April, incumbent President Obiang won the presidential elections with 93.7% of the votes cast. There were reports of electoral fraud and numerous human rights violations prior to the elections. Independent political opposition parties boycotted the compilation of the electoral register and the elections on the grounds that both contravened electoral law. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 2. El Salvador: Scandalous proposal to increase jail terms for women accused of abortion (Press release, 12 July) The right to freedom of expression was suppressed. In January, police in Bata arbitrarily arrested Convergence for Social Democracy members Anselmo Santos Ekoo and Urbano Elo Ntutum, for “disturbing the peace”, as they distributed leaflets and announced a meeting of their opposition party. They were released without charge 10 days later. 3. Americas: Home sweet home? Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador’s role in a deepening refugee crisis (AMR 01/4865/2016) FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY 1. El Salvador: Release of woman jailed after miscarriage, a victory for human rights (Press release, 20 May) 4. El Salvador rejects Amnesty Law in historic ruling (News story, 14 July) 5. El Salvador debe abolir la Ley de Amnistía y enfrentar su sangriento pasado (News story, 14 January) EQUATORIAL GUINEA Republic of Equatorial Guinea Head of state and government: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo 152 Between February and May, over 250 people were arrested for attending opposition parties’ meetings. All but four of those arrested were released without charge after being held for over a week. Members and sympathizers of the opposition party Citizens for Innovation (CI) were particularly targeted, as were relatives of the party’s Secretary-General, Gabriel Nze. Taxi drivers taking people to meetings were also arrested. On 28 February, plain clothes security personnel disrupted a CI meeting in Bata. CI members Leopoldo Obama Ndong, Manuel Esono Mia, Federico Nguema, Santiago Mangue Ndong and Jesús Nze Ndong were arrested and remained in detention without Amnesty International Report 2016/17