BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Jul 02 (IPS) – Between the mafia and the state, I prefer the mafia. The mafia has codes, it keeps its promises, it doesn’t lie, it’s competitive. If a company pollutes a river, where is the harm? The sale of organs is a market like any other. Abortion should be considered “aggravated murder”.
These are just a few quotes from former TV pundit Javier Milenow president of Argentina, making anti-progressionism his trademark, borrowing from the ready-made discourse of the global alt-right. He claims that global warming is “another lie of socialism.”
In recent months, Argentina has undergone a major transformation under its new government, which threatens to undermine the foundations of civil society and democratic governance.
On June 12ththere was a violent crackdown on protesters outside the National Congress, using batons, tear gas and rubber bullets. Several individuals were arbitrarily arrested and subsequently labeled “terrorists” by the government, a move clearly intended to intimidate civil society and criminalize protests. These detainees have been transferred to federal prisons, where reports indicate continued mistreatment, including the use of pepper spray, physical assault and the denial of basic rights.
Last Friday the government another controversial bill introduced to Congress, which wants to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 13, even though minors commit less than 1% of serious crimes in Argentina. A proposal that opponents have labeled as “pure smoke and mirrors.”
Since taking office, the government of President Javier Milei has faced significant international criticism, including from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which has scheduled a hearing for July 11 to discuss the situation.
“A president who takes pride in oppression,” that’s what various media throughout Argentina wrote that Milei even accused the protesters of being “terrorists” and said that police violence had prevented a “coup.”
These alarming developments stand in stark contrast to the country’s longstanding commitment to democracy and human rights, a commitment it has struggled to maintain since the end of the brutal military dictatorship in 1983.
Moreover, this change of government has been accompanied by an abrupt “withdrawal” of the state from its historical role as guarantor of the rights of its citizens. This abdication by the state of its essential responsibilities adds further concerns to the already alarming measures that explicitly restrict civic space.
Javier Milei’s aggressive and theatrical style – from superhero costumes to wielding a chainsaw to illustrate his plans to shrink the size of the state – has led some to compare him to Donald Trump in the US or Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil. This shift, along with the blurring of ideological boundaries between the Peronist and Together for Change coalitions, has implications for Argentina’s political landscape and civic space.
Civil society organizations in Argentina, which have long been the backbone of the country’s democratic resilience and human rights defense, are facing unprecedented challenges.
Legislative proposals aimed at restricting their activities, coupled with restrictions on freedom of expression and the right to protest, have sent shockwaves through the community. The government’s policies include drastic cuts in public spending, the closure of state institutions dedicated to women’s rights and access to justice, and a suspension of participation in international events related to Agenda 2030.
A recent protocol announced by Security Minister Patricia Bullrich involves identifying protesters through various means and then billing them for the costs incurred by deploying security forces to monitor the demonstrations. Human rights activists, opposition figures and organizations such as the Center for Legal Studies (CELS) argue that these measures effectively criminalize legitimate protests and violate constitutional rights. The government’s allies, such as lawmaker José Luis Espert, have responded with aggressive “jail or bullet” rhetoric.
Recently, a violent attack on a member of the HIJOS organization, known for its fight against impunity for the crimes of the last civilian-military dictatorship and for the defense of human rights, was condemned. This attack, marked by its brutality and strong political message, reflects an alarming increase in violence against activists and civil society organizations. The attackers, by dropping the acronym VLLC (“Viva la libertad, carajo!”), associated with President Javier Milei, insinuate a disturbing link between government rhetoric and violent actions against “dissidents”. These proposals, exacerbated by the country’s ongoing economic and social crises, pose new obstacles to the ability of civil society to operate and defend public interests.
Argentina’s history, marked by the dark years of dictatorship between 1976 and 1983, serves as a reminder of the price of silence and inaction. The country’s journey to reclaim democracy and human rights has been an arduous one, marked by relentless efforts to recognize and compensate the victims of past repression. The current government’s move to overhaul policies on memory, truth, and human rights threatens to undo decades of progress and challenges the very essence of Argentina’s democratic ethos.
The international community, and in particular organisations committed to promoting human rights and preserving historical memory, such as UNESCO, must heed this call to action.
The situation in Argentina requires a concerted effort to support civil society, stand up for the protection of public spaces and ensure that the lessons of the past are not forgotten.
This article was written by the Facts about the Governor for Development (EENGD) – Red Encuentro, Argentina’s national NGO platform, in collaboration with the global civil society network Forus.
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
