A/HRC/4/41
page 20
disappearances, was reportedly threatened and intimidated. Another key witness in the same
trial, Mr. Jorge Julio López, who himself was a former victim of enforced disappearance, went
missing on Monday, 18 September.
82.
The Government replied to the prompt intervention letter and informed the Working
Group regarding the extensive actions undertaken in the search for the missing witness and the
creation of a plan to protect all witnesses in highly political cases.
Meetings
83.
During the seventy-ninth session, the Working Group met with government
representatives to discuss outstanding cases and action being taken to clarify outstanding cases.
84.
During the same session, the Working Group met with NGO representatives to discuss
issues in relation to past disappearances in Argentina and recent related events.
Request for a visit
85.
During its seventy-fifth session, the Working Group gratefully accepted the invitation of
the Government to conduct a mission to Argentina. It was decided that the mission would take
place immediately following the session of the Working Group to be held in Buenos Aires in
March 2007.
Summary of the situation prior to the period under review
86.
The vast majority of the 3,445 previously reported cases of disappearance1 occurred
between 1975 and 1978 under the military Government, in the context of its campaign against
left wing guerrillas and their alleged sympathizers. Two cases occurred in 2000 and concerned
persons allegedly arrested in the city of Mendoza by members of the local police investigation
office (Dirección de Investigaciones de la Policía). The other seven cases concerned persons
who were allegedly detained by the police in 2002, following a demonstration.
Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding
87.
Of the 87 cases previously clarified by the Working Group, 44 were clarified on the basis
of information provided by the Government and 43 on the basis of information provided by the
source. In respect of the 3,358 outstanding cases, the Working Group is unable to report on the
fate or whereabouts of the disappeared persons.
Observations
88.
The Working Group welcomes the creation of a comprehensive database to establish the
fate or whereabouts of disappeared persons in that country by the Government. As well, the
commencement of trials against perpetrators is highly commended, and should be an example to
other countries. The Working Group hopes that through continued cooperation with the
Government and NGOs, progress can be made towards the clarification of the 3,358 cases that
remain unresolved.
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