SWC Commends Conviction of Argentine Human Rights Violators
October 28, 2011
Wiesenthal Center Commends Conviction of Argentine Human Rights Violators
Buenos Aires
The Simon Wiesenthal Center commended the Argentine justice system for the conviction of 18 former officers of the Argentine Navy who had committed crimes against humanity during the 1976 – 1983 Military Dictatorship. All of the accused were members of death squads at the Naval Mechanic School – ESMA, which was turned in a largescale clandestine detention center for the “disappeared”. The inmates were brutally tortured, murdered and, in many cases, thrown alive from aircraft to the River Plate.
Sixteen of the officers were given sentences ranging from 18 years to life, while two were acquitted though they remain under arrest for their involvement in other cases.
“We commend Argentina for confronting its past and bringing justice to the families of the victims of such horror. Simon Wiesenthal, our mentor, taught us that heinous crimes deserve an appropriate closure by bringing those responsible before a court. This conveys a powerful message to new generations that such atrocities may not be repeated”, stated Dr. Shimon Samuels (Director for International Relations of the Simon Wiesenthal Center) and Sergio Widder (Director for Latin America).
The number of “disappeared” range from 9.000 (according to an official Commission established in 1984) to 30.000 (according to human rights groups). Among them, 1.500 were Jews. Witnesses and survivors testified that Jews were treated more brutally than other inmates.
For further information, please contact Dr. Shimon Samuels at +336 09770158 or Sergio Widder at +54911 4425-1306.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400.000 members. It is an NGO at international agencies including the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS and the Latin American Parliament.
El Centro Wiesenthal expresa su satisfacción por la condena
de los represores de la ESMA
Buenos Aires, 27 de octubre de 2011
El Centro Simon Wiesenthal elogió a la justicia argentina por el trascendente juicio contra 18 exoficiales de la Armada argentina involucrados en crímenes contra la humanidad en la causa ESMA. Dieciséis de los acusados recibieron condenas a partir de 18 años de prisión hasta cadena perpetua, en tanto que dos de ellos fueron absueltos pero continuarán bajo arresto por su vínculo con otros casos de violaciones a los derechos humanos.
“Felicitamos a la Argentina por confrontar su pasado y hacer justicia. Simon Wiesenthal, nuestro mentor, nos enseñó que el modo de dar una clausura a crímenes tan horrorosos es llevar a los responsables ante un tribunal. Esto transmite un mensaje poderoso para las nuevas generaciones: tales atrocidades no deben repetirse”, manifestaron el Dr. Shimon Samuels (Director de Relaciones Internacionales) y Sergio Widder (Director para América Latina).
Para mayor información, comunicarse con Shimon Samuels al +336 09770158 o Sergio Widder al 4802-1744 o 15 4425-1306. Si llama desde fuera de Argentina, +54911 4425-1306.
Los invitamos a acompañarnos en Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CSWLA
El Centro Simon Wiesenthal es una organización judía internacional de derechos humanos con más de 400.000 miembros en todo el mundo. Tiene status de ONG ante la ONU, la UNESCO, la OEA, la OSCE, el Consejo de Europa y el Parlamento Latinoamericano.
- Regional Offices
- Los Angeles
- New York
- Midwest US
- Southern US
- Toronto
- Jerusalem
- Paris
- Buenos Aires
