Information on the above-mentioned topic could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, a 20 May 1995 Ledger report states that death squads, including the White Hand, were responsible for 25 homicides, mostly of youth gang members, between December 1994 and May 1995.

For information on death squads, including the White Hand death squad, and their activities, please consult Responses to Information Requests SLV24386.E of 25 June 1996, SLV24021.E of 7 June 1996, SLV23141.E of 13 March 1996.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

The Ledger [Lakeland, Fla.]. 20 May 1995. Marcos Aleman. "Death Squads Make Return and Target Criminals." (NEXIS)

Sources Consulted

Amnesty International Report. 1994-1997.
Amnesty International. December 1996.

El Salvador: The Spectre of Death Squads.

Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.]. 1994-1995.

Central America Report [Guatemala City]. 1994-1995.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. 1994-1995.

Human Rights Watch World Report. 1994-1997.

Journal of Interamerican Studies & World Affairs [Miami]. 1995-1997.

Latinamerica Press [Lima]. 1994-1995.

Latin American Weekly Reports [London]. 1994-1995.

News from Americas Watch [New York]. 1994.

Research Directorate. Indexed Media Review: El Salvador. 1994.

Resource Centre country file: El Salvador. 1994-1995.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, Global News Bank, Internet, REFWORLD (UNHCR database), World News Connection (WNC).