Magnitsky Awards
Winner’s Bio

Ruth Eleonora López is a Salvadoran lawyer, anti-corruption expert, and human-rights defender whose career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to justice and democratic integrity. Her childhood spent in Nicaragua during El Salvador’s civil war exposed her to the fragility of institutions and the human cost of conflict, instilling in her a deep sense of ethical responsibility. She studied Law at the University of Havana, graduating with honours, and pursued advanced specialisations in Corporate Law, Electoral Law, Transparency, and Democratic Systems at prestigious universities across Spain and Latin America. Her academic foundation became a crucial tool in her career dedicated to protecting human dignity.

Between 2009 and 2014, López significantly contributed to electoral reforms and the strengthening of constitutional transparency as a legal expert at the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. She went on to serve as a legal adviser at the Salvadoran Social Security Institute and as a board director at the Superintendency of Competition, where she fostered accountability and market regulation. Alongside these roles, she became a university professor and consultant, training the next generation of lawyers and litigating on crucial issues like democracy, corruption, and fundamental rights. Her professional journey is characterised by integrity, making her an architect of institutional reform and transparency.

Recognising the limits of working within institutions alone, López took a more confrontational stance from 2021 as head of the Anti-Corruption and Justice Unit at Cristosal, a leading human rights organisation. There, she filed landmark complaints involving irregular public fund usage, unconstitutional reforms, spyware surveillance such as Pegasus, due process violations, and corruption scandals like the “Case 300” that exposed state funds channelled to criminal groups. Her outspoken criticism of government malpractices led to extensive smear campaigns and over 800 social media attacks linked to government-aligned sources.

Despite persecution, López’s influence reached international arenas. She represented organisations before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), condemned presidential re-election reforms, and advocated against the criminalisation of poverty and migration. In December 2024, she was named among the BBC 100 Women, recognising global influential women. She further championed the rights of over 200 Venezuelans deported to harsh detention facilities.

On 18 May 2025, López was arbitrarily arrested amid unfounded charges, triggering widespread condemnation from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the IACHR, who viewed her detention as political reprisal. While in detention, she received the American Bar Association’s International Human Rights Award in July 2025, and the IACHR granted her precautionary measures in September due to concerns for her safety, after which Amnesty International declared her a prisoner of conscience.

Ruth López’s life is a testament to resilience, professional excellence, and fearless advocacy for democracy and justice. She continues to educate, support victims, and uphold democratic values, demonstrating that justice is not just a concept but a daily, lived responsibility. Her journey from academia to activism and persecution has made her a symbol of integrity and hope in the face of authoritarianism.