The Military-Civic Dictatorship in Argentina (1976 to 1983):
Following a coup d’état on March 24, 1976, the last and by far the most violent dictatorship started in Argentina. The highest-ranking officers of the armed forces, and leaders of the coup, composed a military junta that led the country into a period of state terrorism that systematically abducted, tortured and killed thousands of political opponents, stealing children born to prisoners and obliterating any trace of its victims. The Junta imposed strict censorship on the media and limited civil liberties, including the right to free speech and assembly. Human Rights organisations estimate that 30,000 people were killed or forcibly “disappeared” during this period and 500 babies stolen and illegally adopted under a false identity. The dictatorship came to an end in 1983 shortly after the military junta’s defeat in the Malvinas/Falklands War.
The rise of a powerful human rights movement also helped to expose the regime’s atrocities worldwide. In 1985, Jorge Videla, Emilio Massera, and other high-ranking members of the Junta were sentenced to life imprisonment accused of crimes against humanity during the dictatorship. It was the most significant civil trial since the Nuremberg trials (1945–1949) and the first in South America to bring former dictators to trial. The trials of those who perpetrated crimes against humanity under the dictatorship continues today. The human rights movement, including the Mothers and Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, has gained global recognition over the last 40 years for its unwavering campaign and activism for memory, truth and justice. By January 2023, the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo had managed to identify 132 of the abducted grandchildren.
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March 24, 1976
A military junta led by General Jorge Rafael Videla seizes power in a coup d’état, overthrowing the government of Isabel Perón.
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Late 1976 – early 1977
The military government establishes clandestine detention centers where thousands of people are taken and subjected to torture and inhumane treatment. Many of these political prisoners remain disappeared.
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1977
The Junta announces the “Process of National Reorganization”, a plan to “reorganize” the country and “restore order”, in the Junta’s words. In practice, it was a systematic and sustained programme of state terrorism that aimed to violently suppress dissent and terrorise the population.
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April 30, 1977
A group of women staged their first silent public protest in the Plaza de Mayo, the square in front of the presidential palace. These mothers of the disappeared demanded the reappearance of their children. The weekly round continues today, every Thursday at 3pm. They cover their heads with the emblematic white scarves.
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1978
The dictatorship hosts the FIFA World Cup, diverting attention away from its human rights abuses.
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1982
The Malvinas/Falklands War takes place after Argentine soldiers land on the islands. After a short war against the United Kingdom, the Junta’s popularity declines further.
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Late 1982 – early 1983
Economic turmoil, including hyperinflation, exacerbates social unrest.
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October 30, 1983
Argentina holds democratic elections, which are won by Raúl Alfonsín of the Radical Civic Union. The dictatorship officially ends and the transition to democracy begins.
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1985
The trial of the Junta takes place. Jorge Videla, Emilio Massera, and other top military officials are sentenced to life imprisonment accused of perpetrating crimes against humanity
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1986–1987
Alfonsín introduces the so‐called “laws of impunity”, which effectively put a stop to the prosecution of military personnel.
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1990
In the name of what he terms “national reconciliation”, President Carlos Menem (1989–1999) officially pardons those convicted in the 1985 trials in the so‐called “indulto”.
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2003
The National Congress repeals the impunity laws.
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June 14, 2005
The Supreme Court of Justice declares the impunity laws to be unconstitutional and the official pardons are rescinded.
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2006
New trials commence in the country and continue today.
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Argentinians discuss “False Positives”–1
Ramos Mejía Film Club
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An Argentinian couple discuss politics, part 1
An Argentinian couple discuss politics, part 2
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A youth group discuss the Indonesian film Sowan (The Visit), Part 2
A youth group discuss the Indonesian film Sowan (The Visit), Part 3
A discussion of the Colombian film False Positives
Argentinians discuss further False Positives
Argentinians discuss "False Positives"--1
Portrait: Activist
An Argentinian couple discuss politics, part 1
An Argentinian couple discuss politics, part 2
Who am I? (clip) dir. Estela Bravo
A youth group discuss the Indonesian film Sowan (The Visit), Part 1
A youth group discuss the Indonesian film Sowan (The Visit), Part 2
A youth group discuss the Indonesian film Sowan (The Visit), Part 3
A discussion of the Colombian film False Positives
Ramos Mejía Film Club
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