The Human Rights Actions Network
www.derechos.org/human- rights/actions/
ACTION REQUEST
To: all HR and solidarity organizations in USA
From: Peace and Justice Service, Argentina, September 25, 1997
As you may probably know, President Clinton will visit Argentina
between october 16 and 18. We are asking you to remember the
"disappeared" and the Madres de Plaza de Mayo. Here is our call.
Thanks to pay attention to it, and to let us know what you are
able/willing to do,... Juan DW, Serpaj
UNITED NATIONS, ARGENTINA, IMPUNITY, UNITED STATES
By: Serpaj Buenos Aires Team (special thanks to John B. from the
American University) September 1997
SERPAJ (Peace and Justice Service)
Piedras, 730, (1070) Buenos Aires, Argentina
Phone/fax: 54-1-361.5745, email: serpaj@wamani.apc.org
In its 1995 report on Argentina the United Nations Human Rights
Committee commented on several areas of concern. First, the
Committee expressed its concern that victims of past human rights
violations were often not receiving a fair or sufficient remedy
for their suffering. Second, the Committee expressed regret that
while evidence presented against military officers involved in
forced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, torture, and
other human rights violations might in some cases prevent their
promotion, it rarely results in their dismissal.
One example of this is the case of Lieutenant Colonel Carlos
Villanueva. While he was being considered for promotion, in June
1997, allegations arose that he had participated in torture in a
clandestine detention center known as La Perla. While evidence
against the officer certainly threatened his possibilities for
promotion, his dismissal from the military was never at stake.
The Committee also expressed concern over threats against members
of the judiciary system and the press. It expressed concern that
such threats and attacks could potentially endanger both the
integrity of the judicial system and the freedom of expression.
The recent death of photo journalist Jos‚ Luis Cabezas, on
January 25, 1997, illustrates the continued urgency of these
concerns. The press and the judicial system can not be expected
to operate effectively when their safety is compromised.
One of the Committee's suggestions was that all members of the
security forces involved in gross human rights violations be
removed from their posts. Unfortunately, many former torturers
and human rights abusers remain in positions of power in the
military, in the police and in local, provincial and national
governments. One example of this is the case of the (now) former
director of police intelligence in the province of Cordoba,
Carlos Yanicelli. While considerable amounts of evidence suggest
that he was a torturer during the time (1974-1980) he worked with
the D-2 intelligence group, he continued to retain a position of
considerable power and authority until July 2, 1997. He was
finally removed as a result of continued denunciations by his
former victims. Cases like that of Yanicelli only serve to
foster an atmosphere of impunity. While people like Yanicelli
remain in positions of power, it will be difficult for Argentina
to make the transition from an authoritarian state to a
democratic one capable of respecting human rights.
Another case is that of ex-captain Alfredo Astiz. Even though it
appears that he is now permanently removed from his military
post, he will not be deported to France where he stands convicted
of the murders of two French nuns. Unfortunately, even the
simple removal of Astiz from the military seems to have been more
a result of prodding by the French government than from any
initiative from within the Argentine government.
Sadly, the above cases are not unique. Former torturers and
repressors can be found today in positions of power throughout
Argentina. The (elected) Mayor of Escobar (a small town in
Buenos Aires Province) is former director of police Luis Patti, a
well-known torturer; the (elected) Governor of Tucuman Province
is former General Antonio Domingo Bussi, who can walk freely
because of the "Final Act" law, one of the laws giving total
impunity to repressors.
SOME US CITIZENS DISAPPEARED IN ARGENTINA
The case of the "desaparecidos", or disappeared, in Argentina has
touched the lives of several U.S. citizens as well. Aside from
the suffering and sorrow caused by the kidnappings and murders of
thousands of Argentines, a handful of U.S. citizens were
"disappeared" as well. These sad cases illustrate this horrific
period of Argentine history and the unfortunate connection of
several U.S. citizens to it.
Billy Lee Hunt was born in 1948 in Lebanon, Tennessee. Later he,
his mother, and his sister moved to Argentina. There Billy Lee
attended school through college and played in a band called "Los
Caraveles". In 1977 Billy Lee disappeared. At the time he had
been studying journalism and working in a small shop. It is now
understood that he was picked up on April 8, 1977 in downtown
Mendoza by several armed men wearing plain clothes. Despite
considerable efforts on the part of his family, he was never
heard from again. Later, his family came to discover that Billy
Lee had been arrested by an army unit, taken to a secret
detention center, and never seen again.
Toni Motta was born in Brooklyn, New York City in 1948. In 1980
she accompanied an Italian friend to Argentina. That friend,
Salvatore Privitera, had been deported from Argentina a year
earlier, after having been detained and tortured for some five
years for alleged ties to a guerilla organization. At that time
Ms. Motta was working as a journalist. She disappeared together
with her Italian friend, never to be seen again. Her fate, and
his, is still unknown. However it is unlikely that either is
still alive.
Jon Arozarena was born to U.S. parents in Venezuela in 1951.
Later in life he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with his
family. He disappeared from his home in Argentina in 1977. He
was forced from his home at gunpoint by several men in plain
clothes as were many other unfortunate people living in Argentina
during those times. He was never heard from again despite several
writs of habeas corpus filed by family members on his behalf.
Sadly enough these three cases do not stand alone. Other names
like Patricia Erb and Patrick Egan join the list of U.S. citizens
disappeared in Argentina. And more names are still waiting to be
discovered. While Erb survived her ordeal, many did not. If
justice is to be had both in Argentina and the United States,
these cases must be investigated and pursued. Those responsible
for these brutal acts should face justice and be held accountable
for their crimes. Only with justice can the people touched by
these horrible crimes begin to find peace and reconciliation in
their lives.
In October President Clinton will be making an important trip to
Argentina. It is essential to take advantage of this opportunity
to bring these issues to the forefront for the President, and the
American people as a whole. Impunity in Argentina is an issue
relevant to everyone and must be handled with the help of the
international community.
We ask that people call or write to the White House and their
Congressional representatives and ask that the following four
issues be adressed during President Clinton's visit.
1. We ask for the completion of Resolution 28-92 of the Inter-
American Human Rights Commission that states that the laws of
final act, due obedience, and the decree of pardon (laws that
grant amnesty to members of the military and security forces
involved in human rights violations) are fundamentally
incompatible with the right to justice under the American
Convention on Human Rights. The resolution also states that the
Argentine government should provide a just compensation to those
people whose rights were violated. The resolution recomends that
the Argentine government adopt the necessary means to clarify and
identify those individuals guilty of human rights violations
during the military dictatorship.
2. We also ask that the Argentine government follow the
Commission's suggestion to remove former human rights abusers
from current offices and positions of power. It is also
important that the Argentine government exercise more discretion
when granting pardons and amnesties so as not to foster a general
state of impunity.
3. We also ask that the Argentine government make public all of
its documents and records dealing with disappeared persons.
4. Finally we ask that all kidnapped and disappeared children be
returned to their families of origin.
The completion of these goals will be difficult without
solidarity and support from the United States and the rest of the
international community. Please contact the White House
(president@whitehouse.gov) and your Congresspersons expressing
your interest and concern over these important issues.
You can send copy to Clarin (a major Argentine newspaper)
reporter in Washington DC: fax number: 202-737.4853
