Human rights organizations condemned statements by Buenos Aires City Culture Minister Darío Lopérfido who denied the number of people disappeared and killed by Argentina's 1976-1983 civic-military dictatorship was of 30,000.
“In Argentina, there were not 30,000 dissappeared, that number was fixed on a table,” the also director of the Colón Theatre said during an event in the coastal city of Pinamar marking the 19th anniversary of the murder of reporter José Luis Cabezas.
“Argentina is a country with a violent history but it is not less violent than in other countries in the world,” Lopérfido said yesterday and questioned the role played by the left-wing armed organization Montoneros during ‘70s. “Argentine history says Montoneros built democracy when they actually attacked it.”
Lopérfido controversial remarks were rapidly echoed by human rights organizations. Head of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo Estela de Carlotto was one of the voices to question his statements.
“We have that figure because the very own predators took almost 45,000 people. We know not all the reports by the victims have been registered because there are families that were left decimated; others were terrorized (…). There are many situations,” Carlotto affirmed today in statements to the Del Plata radio station.
“The very own genocides announced 45,000 people among the deaths and the disappeared.”
“The Grandmothers we are still receiving new reports by grandchildren who were born in captivity. Entire families accidently learn (about the truth) and with the courage some people have now to talk, that they did not have before because the fear spread by the genocide was huge. And till today they give us information with fear,” the human rights leader said urging Lopérfido to prove his statements.
“If figures are not these ones, let’s have this Mister tell us how many they are, have him give us the list of how many he thinks they are, if he has it.”
In today’s interview, Carlotto took the oppoertunity to renew her criticism of President Mauricio Macri who she said continues to reject a meeting with human rights groups.
“It seems strange, but he does not want (to receive us). It is coherent with his attitudes, not only towards us. The analysis organizations make is that we have dialogued with all governments, we were received with respect, they listened to us and gave us answers, some more than others. But this answer was badly received because it is rude considering the protocol language they use: because he (Macri) does not have time to receive us, because he is very busy and sends us to talk with the Cabinet Chief," she said explaining a group of organizations will be attending a meeting with head of ministers Marcos Peña tomorrow.