In a joint statement, the association Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, Hijos and the Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (Center for Legal and Social Studies) pointed out that the said entity was created by ministerial resolution 308 of 2010, which also establishes unrestricted access to the premises where the documents are kept.

These teams made fundamental contributions to clarify and judge crimes against humanity. The decision of the Ministry of Defense seeks to hinder the process of justice and truth-telling, the text states.

The withdrawal of civilian and professional groups is even more worrying given that the leadership of this State ministry is now, to a large extent, in charge of retired military personnel and the highest political authorities consider that the investigation of the role of the armed Forces during the dictatorship (1976-1983) is a form of harassment and stigmatization, it adds.

In addition, it indicates that, while closing an area that contributed to the reconstruction of the truth, the Government questions the human rights organizations and the work of the National Commission on the Disappearance of People, the Judiciary and other administrations that supported democracy.

jrr/jav/mem/gas