On November 16, 1989, the Salvadoran military, under the orders of the highest military authorities, infiltrated the Jesuit University of Central American “José Simeón Cañas” and brutally murdered six Jesuit priests - Ignacio Ellacuría Ignacio Martín-Baró, Segundo Montes, Amando López, Juan Ramón Moreno and Joaquín López y López - along with their housekeeper, Julia Elba Ramos, and her 16-year-old daughter Celina Mariceth Ramos. This massacre, carried out during the civil war, shocked the world and became a pivotal moment in exposing the human rights abuses committed by government forces.
In 2008, G37 Centre CEO Almudena Bernabeu, alongside Spanish lawyer Manuel Ollé and Professor Carolyn Patty Blum, filed a criminal complaint in Spain, with crucial support from the University of San Francisco (USF) and the Center for Justice & Accountability (CJA). Their efforts culminated in the 2020 conviction of Colonel Inocente Orlando Montano for his role in the massacre.
As we marked the solemn 35th anniversary of the Jesuit Priest’s Massacre in El Salvador, we gathered on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, in San Francisco for a private event to honour their memory and legacy of justice, compassion and unwavering commitment to human dignity. This gathering brought together human rights advocates, academics, and a wide range of supporters from different backgrounds, featuring a panel discussion on the teachings of these remarkable individuals.
During the event, the G37 Centre proudly launched the Jon de Cortina Guernica 37 Justice Award, named in honour of Father Jon de Cortina (1934 – 2005). Father de Cortina played a crucial role in uncovering atrocities committed during the Salvadoran civil war, and dedicated his life to advocating for the poor and oppressed. His relentless pursuit of justice, particularly in the search for children who disappeared during the Salvadoran civil war, marked the fight for human rights in Central America. By establishing this award, the G37 Centre seeks to continue Father de Cortina’s legacy by recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing justice and accountability.
The inaugural recipient of the award, Professor Terry Lynn Karl, was celebrated for her groundbreaking work in transitional justice in Latin America and her contributions to securing the conviction of Colonel Montano in Spain. Prof. Karl’s deep understanding of the Salvadoran military, the historical role of the Jesuit priests and the nature of human rights abuses have made her a leading voice in the fight for justice. Her work aligns perfectly with the values this award seeks to honour.
The award, designed by renowned British artist Mark Lawson Bell, draws inspiration from the Rock, Paper, Scissors game: a pair of brass scissors cutting through a marble sphere, symbolizing the seemingly impossible, much like Jon de Cortina achieved.
The G37 Centre also announced the creation of G37 Wings for Youth Fund, established in memory of Celina Ramos. This Fund will support young people by facilitating meaningful exchanges to explore careers in human rights. Our vision: a world where no child’s dreams are stolen as Celina’s were, and where everyone can dream freely and live fully.
As we remember the past, this commemoration reaffirms our commitment to justice, truth, and accountability. Together, we continue to strive for a world where such atrocities are never repeated.
