Amid ongoing concerns about human rights under Argentina’s current administration, the families of the 'disappeared' from the country’s so-called "Dirty War" period are seeking aid from the European Union. At the heart of their appeal is an attempt to thwart actions by Argentina's far-right President Javier Milei, who is accused of trying to dismantle the search efforts for those who went missing during the military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983.
During this dark chapter in Argentina’s history, approximately 30,000 people were killed or disappeared. Pregnant prisoners were forced to give birth before being murdered, with their newborns handed over to military families. It is estimated that around 500 babies were stolen in this manner. In response, organizations such as the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo have dedicated decades to finding these children, now adults, and reuniting them with their biological families.
Currently, efforts to trace these individuals and their true identities are facing challenges tied to the policies of President Milei, who has been accused of attempting to erase the atrocities by scaling back or outright defunding the organizations responsible for these investigations. Notably, the administrations impacted include the National Commission for the Right to Identity, which plays a crucial role in tracing illegally adopted children, and the dissolution of critical teams within the national genetic data bank that supports these investigations.
In response to these challenges, a delegation of campaigners from the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo is meeting with EU officials in Brussels. They aim to secure continued support for DNA testing efforts across Europe, where many of these disappeared children are believed to reside, oblivious to their true heritage. The advocacy group has successfully identified 139 of such ‘recovered grandchildren’ to date, with more than 250 individuals still unaccounted for.
Beyond Argentina, Italy has emerged as a focal point of the campaign due to its historical ties and the likelihood that many of these children relocated there. Despite pressures from international human rights advocates and related parliamentary motions from Italy’s Democratic Party, the Italian government has thus far remained largely silent on urging President Milei to revive funding for these programs. Tensions mounted last year when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni granted citizenship to Milei, a move that was criticized by his detractors.
The campaign is meticulous in its efforts, extending its reach not just within the Argentinian diaspora in Europe but globally. Horacio Corti Pietragalla, a former human rights secretary in Argentina, underscores the importance of these outreach initiatives, emphasizing that many of these missing children might currently reside in various European countries, such as Spain, France, and Italy. Each success story, wherein a 'grandson' or 'granddaughter' is located, often bears cross-continental familial connections, highlighting their potential European citizenship.
The call for support is not merely a quest for identification but an attempt to safeguard the rights and history of countless families who have endured profound loss and mystery for decades. As this narrative of reconciliation and justice unfolds across continents, it exemplifies the enduring struggle against past injustices and the pursuit of historical truth in the face of political challenges. With international collaboration, the legacy of Argentina's disappeared might yet provide closure and justice to those who have long awaited it.