Argentina’s “madres” for Nobel Prize?

Could one of Latin America’s most famous human rights groups be a favorite to win the next Nobel Peace Prize?

The Nobel Prize committee has officially accepted the candidacy of the iconic "Madres de la Plaza Mayo" for the prestigious international prize. “They deserve it for numerous reasons, aside from historical, including fighting against state-sponsored terrorism” said Argentine senator Daniel Filmus in explaining how the group served as a powerful symbol of opposition against Argentina’s “Dirty War” regime. If the campaign were successful then the Madres would join human rights activist Adolfo Pérez Esquivel as the only Argentines to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The “Madres”- a mostly female humanitarian organization- have accepted the Nobel candidacy but without keeping their eyes off their main goal:

The president of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, Estela de Carlotto, considered that the group’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize is a “recognition of our efforts over many years.”

Nonetheless she admitted that just being nominated is an honor in itself and “our Nobel Prize will be the recuperating of our (disappeared) grandchildren.” – [ed. Translated text]

De Carlotto’s remarks came as she listened in to the guilty verdict issued against former military ruler Reynaldo Bignone. A judge sentenced Bignone to 25 years in jail for “Dirty War” human rights abuses including helping run Argentina’s largest torture center.

Image- Russia Today
Online Sources- El Financiero, EPA, BBC News, El Patagonico