Memory of the World; 2012 - unesdoc - Unesco

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Human rights documentary
heritage, 1976–1983 – Archives
for truth, justice and memory in the
struggle against state terrorism
Inscribed 2007
What is it
Complete records (including photos and sound
recordings) held by eighteen institutions of the violations
of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Argentina
between 1976 and 1983.
Why was it inscribed
The archives are unique, as they contain testimonies
of systematic and widespread acts of illegal repression,
torture, extermination and forced disappearance, and
document the struggle, resistance and the search for
truth and justice over grave violation of human rights
in Argentina.
Where is it
Eighteen institutions throughout Argentina,
co-ordinated by Archivo Nacional de la Memoria (ANM),
Buenos Aires, Argentina
A military junta controlled Argentina from 1976 to 1983.
Under the motto NUNCA MAS (‘NEVER AGAIN’), it is hoped
that this archive will contribute towards guaranteeing that
the odious and abhorrent crimes committed by the junta
will never again occur anywhere in the world.
These archives represent the historic and social
memory both of the violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms for which the Argentine state
was responsible, and of the actions of institutions and
civil society in support of human rights, justice and
solidarity. Comprising various sources including national,
provincial and municipal government institutions, human
rights organizations and individuals, this material is
indispensable for the clarification of events related to the
� Mothers of the Disappeared (Madres de los Desaparecidos) on
Plaza de Mayo, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their campaign to find
out what happened to their children who ‘disappeared’ during the
rule of the Argentinean junta played an important role in ridding
Argentina of military rule.
forced disappearances of persons and grave human rights
violations in Argentina, and is closely related to similar
events in Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia and
Peru, as all participated in coordination for repression
better known as Plan Condor (see pages 498 and 527).
This documentary evidence shows the widespread
map of state terrorism in Argentina during the military
dictatorship. It includes documents produced by state
organizations that operated from 1976 to 1983, with
some from before or after those dates; others made by
human rights organizations and people who resisted the
military dictatorship with their denunciations, national
and international solidarity campaigns, searches for the
victims of enforced disappearances and their actions
to attain justice and truth. It also contains documents
produced after the return to democracy in December 1983
by the national and provincial states, whose purpose was
to elucidate human rights violations, the fate of the victims
of forced disappearances, and to contribute to judicial
proceedings in the cases of the crimes against humanity
that were committed. Formed from testimonies, both
written and oral, denunciations, photographs, legal and
journalistic records, intelligence reports, lists of enforced
disappeared persons, among other materials, this archive
is clear evidence of the massive and systematic plan for
the persecution, illegal detention and use of clandestine
detention centres, torture and the forced disappearance
of persons implemented by the military dictatorship.
This evidence was and continues to be used in court
cases in Argentina and abroad. At the same time it makes
an important contribution at a regional level towards
the recognition of forced disappearances as a crime
against humanity, and consolidates the so-called ‘right
to truth’ and the protection of all persons from enforced
disappearances. It has become a valuable pedagogical
tool, and represents an important legacy to present and
future generations for their appreciation and learning
while strengthening a culture of peace based on tolerance,
non-discrimination, dialogue and the fulfilment of
human rights.
Human rights documentary heritage, 1976–1983 543