Last night’s march by The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (image) was a fitting end to the week where three former leaders during On Wednesday a federal court overturned the pardons to ex-president Jorge Rafael Videla and naval chief Eduardo Massera, which would force them to serve previous life sentences for human rights violations. Though the decision was largely symbolic since Videla and Massera are currently under house arrest for other crimes, human rights activists and families of “Dirty War” victims were pleased with the court’s ruling:
“‘This restores the route to justice and democracy,’ said Andrea Pochak of the Centre for Legal and Social Studies, a human rights group that has followed dirty war cases. ‘It is a gesture of vital importance for the future.’”
In addition, former president Reynaldo Bignone will go on trial with six others after being accused of kidnapping babies of people killed and “disappeared” in the early 1980s. Thousands of Argentines grew up with foster parents after being forcefully separated from their parents who were politically persecuted. The issue remains a sensible one and has even been portrayed in a popular Argentine telenovela.
Links- Reuters, Sydney Morning Herald, BBC News, The Latin Americanist
Image- BBC News
No comments:
Post a Comment