READERSWRITE
NEVER AGAIN
Robert Cox is dead right: “The failure of the present government to commit to human rights helps to explain why so much fury was aroused by its inept handling of the disappearance of Santiago Maldonado.” It also shows that, after more than 30 years of democracy, a vast majority of Argentines have two words ingrained in their hearts and minds: NEVER AGAIN!
But is it wrong to charge that Santiago was the victim of a “forced disappearance”? I’ll simply translate what Dr. Fabián Salvioli, the president of the UN Human Rights Committe (2015-2016), has written on Facebook on the subject:
‘Santiago Maldonado wasn’t on vacation in Machu Picchu. He was being persecuted by the Border Guards in the context of a fierce repression of an indigenous community. This creates the presumption of forced disappearance by State agents. For such indirect actions – or that included similar circumstances – the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has condemned Honduras, Argentina (Garrido y Baigorria), Peru, México, Colombia and others.
‘The State’s response shouldn’t be to say that unless forced disappearance is conclusively proved it cannot be invoked. That reasoning would have completely hindered the work of in- ternational organisations. Much worse: it would indicate that the State isn’t handling it with the seriousness it requires.
‘The State should work with forced disappearance as its main hypothesis, find out what happened, try at all costs to find him alive, identify those responsible, put them on trial and have them duly sentenced for their actions. (Because whatever they did with Santiago Maldonado is illegal because he wasn’t taken to court).
‘If someone believes that this disappearance is used for political motives, it’s very easy to put end to that. Have Santiago Maldonado appear allive and end of story. ‘So I clearly ask authorities: where is Santiago Maldonado?’ Ildefonso Miguel Thomsen City
COX WITHOUT PEER IN ENGLISH
The almost sweet, wishful ending from Mr. Cox on the Santiago Maldonado nightmare is appreciated. He writes – and without peer, in English - for us.
Oh, that the hitchhiking story is true. Ojalá.
Thank you and sincerely, Christopher Carpenter City