(ESTIMATED PUB DATE) HUMAN RIGHTS PERFORMANCE: JANUARY 1977-JULY 1978 - 1978/09/01

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Argentina Declassification Project - The "Dirty War" (1976-83)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00130188
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: April 3, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 12, 2019
• Publication Date: September 1, 1978

Approved for Release: 2018/10/01 CO0130188
National
Foreign
Assessment
Center
r
C o Id r fi ,
3.5(c)
Human Rights Performance:
January 1977-July 1978
A Research Paper
Approved for for Release: 2018/10/01 CO0130188
Ceitfnteir--thal
RP 78-10346
September 1978
Copy
I
Approved for Release: 2018/10/01 CO0130188
NR LC1141.Fif7EriTrA L NR
In Argentina the human rights issue continues
to cause strains with the United States. Senior
Argentine officials view human rights abuses as
an unfortunate but inevitable consequence of
intense efforts to eradicate leftist terrorism, and
under these circumstances resent efforts by for-
eign critics to portray the Argentine Government
as an oppressive dictatorship. Now that the
terrorist threat seems to be abating, the govern-
ment is attempting to wind down its massive
security operations and to exercise tighter con-
trols over police and military units. It has or-
dered release of many prisoners to their relatives
during daylight hours. The Interior Minister
recently warned police chiefs to stop bullying the
public and to restore normal procedures, and the
government has strengthened requirements for
proper police identification. In an effort to ap-
pease its critics, the government has published
several lists of those arrested and under detention
and is making a more concerted effort to locate
missing persons. Nevertheless, thousands of pris-
oners are still being held under state of siege
provisions which deny them benefits of trial and
due process. The fact that there are still occa-
sional reports of disappearances, torture, and
death indicates that the government is either
unable or unwilling to bring all elements of the NR
security forces under full control.
Approved for Release: 2018/10/01 CO0130188'