I. Introduction: Minorities Under Siege 
In El Salvador, minority groups face disproportionate levels of violence, discrimination, and exclusion. Ethnic, religious, and social minorities are often targeted both by gangs and by systemic neglect from the state. Their vulnerability is compounded by a culture of impunity, leaving them without effective protection. As a result, many members of these communities view asylum abroad as their only option for survival. 

II. Indigenous Communities Marginalised 
Although indigenous peoples make up a small percentage of El Salvador’s population, they face persistent marginalisation. Historical dispossession of land and cultural suppression have left indigenous groups with limited access to resources. When they attempt to defend their rights, they are often met with harassment or violence, further driving displacement. 

III. Afro-Salvadorans and Racial Discrimination 
Afro-Salvadorans, though a minority, also face systemic discrimination. They are underrepresented in politics and public life, often stereotyped and excluded from opportunities. This racial prejudice reinforces cycles of poverty and exclusion, pushing some to migrate in search of recognition and dignity. 

IV. Religious Minorities Under Threat 
Religious minorities, including non-Catholic Christians, Muslims, and others, encounter hostility in a country where dominant religious institutions wield significant influence. Gangs often target these communities for extortion, viewing them as outsiders with fewer networks of protection. This vulnerability increases their risk of persecution and fuels migration abroad. 

V. LGBT Communities Facing Double Discrimination 
LGBT Salvadorans, who are minorities within the broader population, face targeted attacks not only for their identity but also because of their activism. They are subjected to harassment, hate crimes, and systemic exclusion from education and employment. For LGBT individuals from minority ethnic or religious backgrounds, these overlapping vulnerabilities create unbearable risks. 

VI. Gangs as Perpetrators of Minority Violence 
Gangs play a central role in perpetrating violence against minorities. They exploit communities with limited state protection, forcing them into extortion schemes or using violence to assert control. Minority groups, often lacking political power, are easier targets for intimidation and aggression. 

VII. State Neglect and Discrimination 
The Salvadoran state has consistently failed to provide equal protection for minorities. Discrimination is reflected in public policies, which often exclude minority groups from meaningful participation. This neglect, combined with systemic corruption, leaves minorities highly exposed to threats without avenues for justice. 

VIII. Violence Against Women From Minority Groups 
Women belonging to minority groups experience intersectional discrimination and violence. They face higher risks of gender-based violence, limited access to justice, and targeted harassment from both gangs and patriarchal structures. This triple marginalisation—based on gender, minority status, and poverty—forces many to migrate. 

IX. Impunity for Crimes Against Minorities 
Crimes committed against minorities rarely result in prosecution. Police are often reluctant to investigate, particularly when victims belong to stigmatised groups. This culture of impunity emboldens aggressors, leaving minorities trapped in cycles of violence. 

X. Migration as Survival 
For minorities in El Salvador, migration is often framed not as a choice but as a survival mechanism. Families uproot themselves to avoid persecution, seeking asylum in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Their asylum claims frequently highlight systemic discrimination and targeted violence as key drivers of displacement. 

XI. Diaspora Advocacy and Solidarity 
Minorities in exile continue to advocate for recognition and protection. Through diaspora networks, they raise awareness about their struggles and mobilise international solidarity. These efforts ensure that their voices, long silenced at home, are amplified abroad. 

XII. Conclusion: Breaking the Cycle of Exclusion 
Targeted violence against minorities in El Salvador reflects broader patterns of exclusion and impunity. Until systemic discrimination is addressed and the state provides equal protection, minority communities will continue to see exile as their only refuge. Asylum becomes not merely an escape from violence but also a demand for recognition and justice denied at home.