Reuniting Families in Argentina: Abuelas (Grandmothers) de Plaza de Mayo
Photos of kidnapped children and disappeared women in Argentina, during the dictatorship. Photo: David Webb |
Thanks to the efforts of CWS partner Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, 85 young adults in Argentina now know their real identities. Many of them approached the organization as part of searching for their origin.
The children were kidnapped during the Argentine military dictatorship between 1976 and 1982. About 500 children in all disappeared during that period, most taken by the government and given to persons related to the military forces.
The latest recoveries are of two young men, Marcos, kidnapped with his father in 1976 when he was one-year-old, and Sebastián, kidnapped in March 1976, when his mother was in detention.
Marcos' mother was already missing when he and his father were taken. Both parents were students of the University of La Plata. On March 30, 2006, Marcos went to Abuelas expressing his wish to know his real identity, because he had doubts about his origin. The relationship with Abuelas helped to strengthen his resolve. Abuelas investigated and found proof of his background. With the help of the Association, Marcos could finally find his biological family, and from that moment "I began to experience what it means to be free," he says.
Sebastian's parents are still missing, though his grandparents, uncles, and cousins are very happy to finally find him. "We need to give him time to call me grandmother," says Angela Barili de Tasca, and adds that his recovery is like "a miracle and a resurrection."
During some thirty years of work, the Association has built a legal network in Argentina of professionals specializing in identity restitution. Abuelas helps families with the legal matters related to restoring the identities of stolen children, including economic reparations or damages, documentation, and issues related to family law.
CWS is supporting Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo as it strengthens its work in Argentina with institutions belonging to the Identity Rights Network--human rights defense organizations, organizations protecting childhood, indigenous people or gender rights, and teams working in the national university system. Abuelas is developing a coordinated team to provide legal support, strengthen the networking of professionals in the subsidiaries, improve training to members of the judiciary, and facilitate the exchange of skills and information. The specific objective is to strengthen the Association’s subsidiaries—particularly in Cordoba, Rosario, La Plata, and Mar del Plata, with the aim of extending the work of the institution and constructing professional networks in the legal and psychological fields.
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Updated 3/5/07
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