Nunca Mas (Never Again)

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the beginning of Argentina's infamous Guerra Sucia or "Dirty War" of the Argentine military regime against its own people. This "war" was particularly brutal and poignant because of the insidious tactics introduced, especially the now well known method of creating desaparecidos, or "disappearing people." The military kidnapped thousands (conservative estimates are around 4,000) of Argentinians in the middle of the night without warning and either killed them, took them to torture institutions, or dropped them, drugged, into the ocean. Some were tortured then let go simply to terrorize others into silence. Evidence of bodies was destroyed, and many families are still convinced their loved ones are alive somewhere. This is what is most horrifying about the disappearances--one's family is also tortured with the pain of not knowing what happened.

Why am I bringing this up? Because this fall I read a book about a group of women known as the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo (Rita Arditti "Searching for Life") who have organized and succeeded in organizing and protesting against the goverment for the return of their grandchildren. During the war, hundreds of children were either taken or born in prison cells, given over to military families, and their mothers were tortured and murdered. This group is a spinoff of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, who have held 24 hour marches every day since the beginning of the war demanding the return of their loved ones, or at least an end to the complete impunity which the military has been granted. General Videla, a horrendous criminal and the one who gave the orders that sentenced up to 30,000 Argentine citizens to death, is retired and lives comfortably in Buenos Aires. The Madres and the Abuelas remind me that if women organize, fight, and commit to never giving up, their voices will eventually be heard--if not by the brutal state, then at least by the international community. It also reminds me that the forces of love that bind parents to their children are stronger than those that bind atoms. I am reminded each day (I love you Mom and Dad!)

Guess whose goverment trained and funded the Argentine military during this period? I'll give you one hint: its a country that supposedly values "freedom" and "good governance."

To find out more, check out the article on BBC News Today.