Substantive Justice in the Case of the Disappeared in Argentina: Memory, Justice, and Reconciliation
Justicia Sustantiva en el Caso de los Desaparecidos en Argentina: Memoria, Justicia y Reconciliación
Keywords:
transitional justice, disappeared persons, Argentina, historical memory, substantive justiceAbstract
This article explores the legal and social response to the phenomenon of enforced disappearances during Argentina’s military dictatorship (1976–1983), through the lens of substantive justice. It argues that historical memory and accountability are not merely moral or symbolic issues, but essential conditions for achieving meaningful justice. By analyzing case law, public memory policies, and victim testimonies, the article evaluates the achievements and gaps in Argentina’s transitional justice process. It emphasizes that substantive justice requires not only criminal sanctions, but also comprehensive reparation, public recognition, and institutional reform. The article concludes by reflecting on the lessons of the Argentine experience for other societies dealing with legacies of state violence.
Este artículo explora el tratamiento jurídico y social del fenómeno de los desaparecidos durante la dictadura militar en Argentina (1976–1983), desde la perspectiva de la justicia sustantiva. Se argumenta que la memoria histórica y la rendición de cuentas no solo son cuestiones morales o simbólicas, sino condiciones necesarias para una justicia que sea efectivamente sustantiva. A través del análisis de jurisprudencia, políticas públicas de memoria y testimonios de víctimas, se examinan los logros y vacíos del proceso de justicia transicional argentino. El artículo destaca cómo la justicia sustantiva exige no solo sanciones penales, sino también reparación integral, reconocimiento público y transformación institucional. Finalmente, se reflexiona sobre los aprendizajes del caso argentino para otros países que enfrentan legados de violencia estatal.
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