The report's four chapters review failed prosecutions for the 1979-1984 period; consider the 1984-1989 judicial reform project; address the escalating violence of the 1987-1989 period in terms of recent political attacks, attacks on the legal and human rights communities and other targeted sectors, and conditions in detention; and discuss police training. On the basis of examination of El Salvador's judicial system and the country's current human rights situation, the Lawyers Committee concludes: there has been a disturbing increase in the number of political killings in El Salvador in the last year; the number of political prisoners and administrative detainees has declined appreciably in the last few years, but those who are detained often are subjected to physical and psychological abuse; and a review of the investigations into recent human rights cases and prior violations reveals a record of almost total failure. The report proposes recommendations to the Government of El Salvador. 438 footnotes