On July 11th, six LLA legislators met at the Ezeiza prison with Alfredo Astiz, Raúl Guglielminetti, Carlos Suárez (son), Antonio Pernías and Adolfo Donda, who were tried and imprisoned for kidnapping, torturing, murdering and forcibly disappearing people, including children, during the last civil-military dictatorship in the country (1976-1983).
The event was strongly condemned by political, union and social organizations, which denounced the denial of crimes against humanity and the existence of a plan to get the guilty out of jail.
In the last few hours, the Mothers and Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, Relatives of the Disappeared and Detained for Political Reasons, Children and the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights, among other groups, sent a note to the blocs that make up the Chamber of Deputies demanding sanctions for those involved and an end to impunity.
The organizations expressed their concern about what happened, considering it extremely serious and unprecedented, and requested that the Chamber investigate what has happened, to determine the responsibility of the authorities involved and take the necessary measures so that events like this may not be repeated.
They also warned that the visit was part of a series of meetings held between LLA legislators and convicted persons with the objective of outlining strategies to guarantee their impunity.
“We believe that in order to continue consolidating our democracy, it is essential to maintain our commitment to Memory, Truth and Justice. In this sense, if those who make up the Legislative Branch engage in conduct contrary to what is established in our Constitution and international treaties, it is essential that an appropriate response be produced within their sphere of work within a reasonable time,” the statement says.
“The impunity plan, of which the deputies in question and other public agents are part of, collides with the obligations of the State that imposed the investigation, prosecution and punishment of those responsible for crimes against humanity and the comprehensive reparation for their victims. The seriousness of the situation demands that the members of the House make a decision and that they do so in the face of the society that voted for them,” the statement concludes.
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