An American free-lance journalist, filmmaker, and social activist living in Buenos Aires, Marie Trigona is well-versed in many issues relevant to the Legacy Project and a wonderful person for us to speak with. We met in the historic Hotel Bauen, watched several short features produced by her film collective, Agora TV, and discussed the pursuit of social justice in Argentina today. As the meeting moved in a number of different directions, we'll just isolate a few highlights here.
FASINPATs: Following Argentina's economic collapse in 2001, many businesses went bankrupt and workers were left unemployed and desperate. In response, workers in a number of industries took control of the failed businesses, forming collectives that would oversee operations and ensure legitimate profit-sharing. Our meeting location, the Hotel Bauen, is a prominent example of the FASINPATs. Today, it employs 150 workers and, though its ownership status remains a matter of legal dispute, it appears likely that the workers will retain operational control.
Julio Jorge Lopez: While we had heard mention of Lopez previously, this was our first detailed overview of his case, the most pressing human rights issue in Argentina right now. Lopez is a torture survivor, having been disappeared from 1976 to 1979.
After the Due Obedience and Full Stop laws were repealed in Argentina, members of the military and police who had been protected from prosecution were suddenly vulnerable once again. The first one brought on trial was Miguel Etchecolatz; Julio Lopez was a key witness against him. Shortly before he was scheduled to complete his testimony, Lopez was disappeared for a second time. He remains missing and the investigation has made no progress.
Escraches: Another topic introduced to us at Hotel Bauen that would return many times during our visit, escraches are a public response to the failure of the legislative and judicial systems to pursue justice for the crimes and abuses committed by the military dictatorship. Appalled that even leading figures like General Videla, were allowed to go on with their lives when so many had lost theirs, Argentines put on public demonstrations in front of their homes. The idea is to make life as unpleasant as possible without breaking the law, by publicizing the perpetrator's address, loudly denouncing his crimes, and drawing significant public attention. If the person cannot be made a real prisoner, perhaps he can be made a de facto prisoner in his own home.
The Pursuit of Justice: Since trials resumed for accused perpetrators from the military dictatorships, the need for escraches has declined and some hope for justice has been rekindled. However, the new process is not without flaws. As the Truth Trials are structured, victims are forced to testify regularly, almost every day in some cases, which prevents them from working and keeps their personal tragedies in the forefront of their minds. And, beyond Lopez, threats have been issued against other witnesses and judges, not to mention the fact that many judges still have ties to the military dictatorship.
In short, there is reason for optimism, but a tremendous struggle remains before Argentina sees justice for what happened between 1979 and 1983.