Argentina to open secret archives

[Janus]

BBC News

Argentina has decided to make public all secret archives of the armed forces to help uncover human rights violations committed under military rule.
The decision was announced by Defence Minister Nilda Garre.
It comes on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the coup, by which the military seized power in 1976.
Human rights groups say up to 30,000 political opponents of the regime were kidnapped, detained and later executed during seven years of military rule.
The government issued a decree to guarantee unrestricted access to information on what it said were grave acts committed during the so-called Dirty War.
It ordered all the branches of the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence to provide access their secret files when required.
Recovered documents will be kept at the National Memory Archive, an institution created by President Nestor Kirchner three years ago.
Correspondents say the secret files could play a key role in trials against former military officers accused of human rights abuses, after the Argentine Congress voted to scrap laws protecting them from prosecution in 2003.
Some high-ranking officers such as Gen Rafael Videla - who seized power in 1976 - are under house arrest over the illegal adoption of children born to political prisoners during military rule.
On Friday, President Kirchner is expected to lead an official ceremony to mark the anniversary of the coup.

[Abakua]

Prepare for some deeply ugly findings. Too little too late for the victims and their families though.

[Janus]

BBC News

Argentines have been marking the 30th anniversary of the coup that brought the military to power for seven years.
Thousands of people gathered in the Plaza de Mayo in the centre of Buenos Aires for a rally marking the culmination of a series of events.

During the military rule, known as the Dirty War, at least 30,000 people were killed, many taken from their homes in the middle of the night.

Described as "the disappeared", their bodies have never been recovered.

Marking the anniversary, musicians played and politicians spoke about those dark years between 1976 and 1983 when the military governed Argentina and at least 30,000 people were killed.

This anniversary seems to have struck a chord in Argentine society like no other.

There are art exhibitions around the country, poetry readings and debates.

Plaques listing the victims of the Dirty War have been unveiled at work places and in parks.

Archives opened

On the eve of the anniversary, the government announced that all military archives will be opened to public scrutiny.
It is hoped families of the victims might find some answers to the questions they have been asking since their loved ones were snatched from them - often at night by government agents driving unmarked cars.

Many have praised the government of President Nestor Kirchner for opening doors to the investigators.

Time has also partly healed some of the wounds.

The slogan at the rallies is the same as it was when Argentina returned to democracy in 1983.

'Nunca mas' - never again. With most now shouting it louder than ever before.