The Fight Against Impunity: How could the EU contribute to promoting transitional justice in Argentina?

The long standing struggle of the Human Rights movement in Argentina and abroad led to the suspension of the military amnesty laws by the Supreme Court in 2005.
More than 25 years after the end of the military dictatorship in Argentina, Reynaldo Benito Bignone, who was Argentinean President during the final phase of the dictatorship, has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment in April 2010.  However, the legacy of more than 30.000 persons who disappeared during the bloody years of the dictatorship is still to be dealt with. European citizens also disappeared during those years.  The trials against Argentinean military officers in several EU countries such as Spain, France, Germany and Sweden, helped to overcome the situation of impunity in Argentina.

EU instruments providing financial support to transitional justice mechanisms around the world accredit the EU commitments to peace and international justice. However, despite the available funds and the EU Members’ experience in transitional justice, the EU has no policy or agreed approach on the issue.

What are the lessons learnt from the Argentinean case?  What pre-requisites are needed so that justice can fulfil its duty? How could the EU contribute to the current process in Argentina in order to overcome the grave human rights violations committed during the eight years of dictatorship and the “dirty war”?  Could experiences such as the Argentinean case be a source of inspiration for the EU to develop a comprehensive approach to transitional justice?

Speakers:
- Barbara Lochbihler, Member of the European Parliament
- Charles Michel Geurts, European Commission, Deputy Head of Unit - Human Rights and Democratisation (tbc)
- Daniel Rafecas, Federal Judge, Argentina
- Rodolfo Yanzón, Lawyer, leading attorney for German victims, Argentina

Chair:
Claude Weinber, Heinrich-Boll-Stiftung EU Office director